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’s 2026 legislative session has begun. While it’s a shorter session (not a budget year, the state budget is set every two years), there are certainly going to be policy and budget implications for historic preservation and heritage. We invite you to follow us (and sign up for our Advocacy Alert eblasts via the link below) for updates on preservation-related issues in the 2026 state legislative session.
Bills We’re Watching
- SB 6026/HB 2480, “Allowing residential use in commercial and mixed-use zones” (read our news post here)
- HB 1810, “Concerning seismic hazard risk reduction” (read our news post here)
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!