Advocating for historic preservation
As Washington State’s only statewide preservation advocacy organization, the Washington Trust plays a key role in advocating for good preservation policy on both the state and national levels.
Statewide
The Washington State Legislature wrapped up its 2025 Legislative session on April 27th, delivering a budget to the Governor that included both widespread cuts along with a large revenue package to account for the estimated $15 billion deficit facing the state over the next four years (Note: as of the time of writing, the Governor has not yet signed the budget bill into law – he has until May 20 to do so). These cuts do have the potential to impact the work of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and, by extension, the Washington State Main Street Program. In addition, the legislature considered a large volume of policy bills. Housing was again a focus, with one bill in particular poised to re-shape the way historic buildings are designated as landmarks at the local level. Here is a summary of programs and policy:
Washington State Main Street Program
The Washington State Main Street Program (WSMSP), which the Washington Trust manages through a partnership with DAHP, is a large and ever-growing network currently consisting of 77 communities. While some level of reduction may be imposed, the budget provides funding to allow the Main Street Program to continue operating.
Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation’s (DAHP) Capital Grant Programs
DAHP administers four capital grant programs that provide preservation funding to projects across the state. The 2025-27 capital budget as passed by the legislature includes funding to allow all four programs to continue in the next biennium. Proposed funding levels as follows:
- Heritage Barn Initiative – $900,000
- Historic County Courthouse Program – $7.433 million (would support rehabilitation projects at courthouses in 11 counties across the state)
- Historic Cemetery Grant Program – $515,000
- Historic Theater Grant Program – $515,000
National
Preservation Advocacy Week
Each year, Washington Trust staff members and volunteers travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for historic preservation programs and funding at the federal level as part of Preservation Advocacy Week (also known as “Lobby Day”). Joined by fellow advocates from across the country, we meet with our state’s representatives and senators to emphasize the value of preservation to Washington’s communities. This is our chance to speak directly to the senators, representatives, and other high-level lawmakers who can enact real change to federal historic preservation policy and budgets.
This year’s Preservation Advocacy Week is March 2-5, 2026. Learn more here.
Federal Issues From 2025
2025 was a difficult year for historic preservation at the federal level, with major staffing cuts, budget and policy changes, and even the demolition of a national icon. Read these blog posts for our takeaways and positions on federal issues throughout 2025:
- Statement on the Demolition of the East Wing of the White House – November 2025
- Advocacy Alert: Washington’s State Historic Preservation Office at Risk – May 2025
- Impact of President Trump’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget on Historic Preservation – May 2025
- We Stand With National Park Service Staff – March 2025
- Preservation Advocacy Week 2025 Recap – March 2025
- The Uncertain Landscape of Federal Funding: Potential Impacts to the Washington Trust – February 2025
Preservation + Housing
The Washington Trust is committed to promoting sustainable and economically viable communities through historic preservation. As part of this mission, we recognize the importance of addressing the affordable housing crisis in Washington State and highlighting the potential role that historic preservation can play in providing housing affordability and increasing housing density. Read our Preservation + Housing Position Paper via the link below and offer your feedback!
Advocacy Alerts
Stay in the loop on the Washington Trust’s advocacy work and learn how you can help raise your voice in support of historic preservation. Click below to sign up for emails and make sure to select “Preservation Issues and Advocacy Alerts” from the list as an area of interest!