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From the Executive Director
Greetings, Friends!
I hope this finds you well. In case you missed our post on social media, Amara Yancey left Preserve Arkansas in May after ten years with the organization. I want to thank her for her years of service and friendship, and let all of you know that Preserve Arkansas is looking for a Membership and Communications Coordinator! We started accepting applications last week. If you or a friend might be interested, please contact me or visit our website to learn more.
This issue includes information about upcoming programs, volunteer opportunities, 2023 Preservation Award nominations, advocacy updates, and more. Best wishes for a wonderful summer!
Thank you for your support,
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Rachel Patton
Executive Director
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Women in Preservation
Tuesday, July 11
via Zoom or YouTube Live
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The Women in Preservation Virtual Speaker Series features women who are working to save historic places in Arkansas and across the country. Thanks to generous support from DEMX Architecture, all programs are free.
Join us on July 11 at 3:30 p.m. for a program by Melissa Roach, project administrator at Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. Her work experience has ranged from working on National Register projects in South Carolina and North Carolina to running two National Historic Landmarks in Natchez, Mississippi, to transitioning into the commercial construction world as a project manager and administrator. She currently lives in Fayetteville.
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Dollars & Sense of Historic Preservation
Friday, Sept. 29
Downtown Texarkana
| Save the date for Dollars and Sense of Historic Preservation in Downtown Texarkana on Friday, September 29. Preserve Arkansas is partnering with Main Street Texarkana to bring this program to the Crossties Event Venue, where attendees will learn about preservation incentives, the economic and quality of life benefits of historic preservation, and enjoy tours of historic properties. Stay tuned for program details and registration information. | |
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Witsell Endowment for Preservation Education & Training Supports "The Great Unveiling" | In June, Preserve Arkansas used funds from its Witsell Endowment for Preservation Education and Training to support the Quapaw Quarter Association's "Great Unveiling" Wood Siding Workshop with Bob Yapp at the Ernest Green House in Little Rock. In addition to general support, the Witsell Endowment funded scholarships for three workshop participants - Jared Biggs, Historic Cane Hill; William Edgar, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History; and David Lara of Jacksonville. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients and all workshop participants! Check out their work at 1224 W. 21st Street. | |
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Sutherland Scholarship Awarded | Preserve Arkansas's Cyrus Sutherland Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas Scholarship was awarded in April to two students at the UA Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design who have demonstrated interest in historic preservation. The 2023 scholarship recipients were Nate Cole and Clayton Roberson. Congratulations! | |
Pictured L to R: Preserve Arkansas Board President Tim Maddox, Nate Cole, and Preserve Arkansas Executive Director Rachel Patton. | |
10th Annual Block on Rock Benefiting Preserve Arkansas | The 10th annual Block on Rock Birthday Bash will be held on July 29, 2023, at Stone's Throw Brewing, 402 E. 9th Street in Little Rock's MacArthur Park Historic District. Celebrate ten years of Stone's Throw Brewing and enjoy live music from The Big Dam Horns, Cora McMullen, and Jason Lee Hale & The Personal Space Invaders! A portion of proceeds from the block party is donated to Preserve Arkansas. Help us by signing up for a volunteer shift here. Thanks! | |
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2023 Arkansas Preservation Awards | |
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Now Accepting Award Nominations
Deadline 8/31/23
| Preserve Arkansas is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Arkansas Preservation Awards. Winners will be honored in January 2024. The Arkansas Preservation Awards recognize outstanding preservation achievements, people who make a difference in their communities, and projects that inspire others to protect Arkansas’s special historic places. Members of the public are invited to submit nominations for eligible projects in 13 categories, including the newly endowed W. L. Cook Award for Excellence in Heritage Preservation, which comes with a $2,000 cash prize. | |
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Enhancements to the Arkansas Historic Tax Credit | |
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The enhancements to our State Historic Tax Credit that came out of the 94th General Assembly's Regular Session will take effect in the new state fiscal year, which begins on July 1.
Act 650 increased the amount of the Arkansas Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit and created a tiered system to incentivize investment in smaller communities.
- Projects in cities with a population of less than 10,000 will receive a 40% credit.
- Projects in cities with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 will receive a 35% credit.
- Projects in cities with a population of 50,000 or more will receive a 30% credit.
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Currently, the credit percentage for all projects is 25%, so this represents an increase for all projects.
- Act 650 did not alter the annual cap of $8 million per fiscal year or the current per project caps.
Act 651 extended the deadline to apply for the Arkansas Major Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. This credit is for projects with at least $1.5 million in qualified expenses.
Act 561 included $40 million for the Arkansas Major Historic Rehabilitation Trust Fund, which will be administered by the Division of Arkansas Heritage to fund credits awarded through the Arkansas Major Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program.
We appreciate the leadership of Sen. Jonathan Dismang, Rep. Les Eaves, and Rep. Lane Jean, and we look forward to seeing the impact of these changes in communities across the state, both urban and rural.
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Record Funding for Historic County Courthouses | |
For the second year in a row, the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program will award a record level of funding as part of its County Courthouse Restoration Grant Program. This year, grantees will share $3.5 million in grant funds to repair and restore Arkansas's National Register-listed county courthouses. Preserve Arkansas coordinates a sign-on letter with county judges each spring requesting additional funding for this important grant program. | |
Federal Historic Tax Credit & Historic Preservation Fund | |
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The Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO; H.R. 1785 / S. 639) was reintroduced in the 118th Congress. HTC-GO would add value to the Federal Historic Tax Credit by increasing the percentage from 20% to 30% for projects with less than $2.5 million in qualified expenses and make the credit easier to use by lowering the substantial rehabilitation threshold.
The authorization for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is set to expire on September 30, 2023. The HPF provides essential funding to our State Historic Preservation Office as well as competitive grant programs administered by the National Park Service. HPF revenue comes from oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf - it does not use taxpayer money. Preserve Arkansas recently joined our colleagues around the country in a sign-on letter urging Congress to support the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3350). This legislation would renew the HPF for 10 years and increase its annual authorization from $150 million to $250 million.
Encourage your members of Congress to co-sponsor both of these bipartisan bills. If you need help contacting Arkansas's senators or your representative, please reach out to Rachel Patton at rpatton@preservearkansas.org or 501-372-4757. Thank you!
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Thank you to our Partners and Sustainers! | |
Clements & Assoc. Architecture, Inc. | |
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Ms. Christina Aleman and Mr. Adam Smith
Ted Belden
Jim and Kathy Boyette
Gary and Ann Clements
Susie Coppock
Courtney Crouch, Jr. and Brenda Crouch
Courtney and Amber Crouch
Fred Dietrich, D.D.S.
Paul Dodds
John C. Edwards
John and Marjem Gill
John and Tricia Greer
Gabe and Katherine Holmstrom
Tommy and Christy Jameson
Scott and Amber Jones
Jill Judy and Mark Brown
Bob Kempkes and Mary Matthews
Tim and Cyndi Maddox
The Honorable Pat and Mrs. Ellen McCabe
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Frances McSwain and Ray Wittenberg
Carl H. Miller, Jr.
John K. Mott, FAIA
Jack Moyer and Elise Roenigk
Justice David and Mrs. Carolyn Newbern
Mark and Cheri Nichols
Leslie Smith Reeves
David Reynolds
Emily Jordan Robertson
Aaron and Veronica Ruby
Martin and Kara Smith
David, Rayman, and Lafe Solomon
Breck and Anne Speed
Bart and Alix Stafford
Anthony Taylor and Michelle Strause
Ross Toyne
Dr. Charles and Mandy Welch
Ms. Laura Ann Winning
Darby and Amiee York
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Preserve Arkansas is the only statewide nonprofit advocate for the preservation of Arkansas's historic and cultural resources. Our organization works to build stronger communities by reconnecting Arkansans to our heritage and empowering people to save and rehabilitate historic places. Support our work year-round by becoming a member!
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Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 305, Little Rock, AR 72203
Call us at 501-372-4757.
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