This Is Historic: Protecting Arizona’s Past. Shaping Arizona’s Future.

​

A Unified Voice for Historic Preservation

 

Historic preservation is about more than saving old buildings. It is about protecting the places, stories, cultures, and landscapes that define Arizona and the nation.

 

In 2026, Arizona joins communities across the country in commemorating several landmark anniversaries while also confronting significant challenges to historic preservation policy and funding. To help preservation organizations speak with one clear and recognizable voice, a national coalition of preservation partners has adopted a simple message:

​

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

The Arizona Preservation Foundation proudly embraces this campaign as part of our advocacy efforts. Whether we are celebrating preservation successes, defending threatened historic places, or supporting sound public policy, This Is Historic reminds us that the decisions we make today will shape the Arizona that future generations inherit.

 

Why It Matters

 

Historic preservation is about more than protecting historic buildings. It safeguards the places, landscapes, traditions, and stories that connect Arizonans to their shared past while strengthening communities for the future.

 

As Arizona experiences unprecedented growth, thoughtful preservation helps retain the character of our cities and towns, honors Tribal and cultural heritage, supports local economies, encourages sustainable redevelopment, and ensures that future generations inherit the full story of our state.

 

This Is Historic is both a celebration and a call to action.

 

2026: A Historic Year

 

The year 2026 marks an extraordinary convergence of preservation milestones that deserve recognition and renewed public support.

 

• America 250. The United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, providing an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history and the places that tell its story.

 

• 100 Years of Route 66. Arizona is home to some of the nation’s most iconic stretches of Historic Route 66. The Mother Road’s centennial celebrates the communities, businesses, architecture, roadside attractions, neon signs, and cultural landscapes that helped define travel in the American Southwest. Preserving these irreplaceable resources ensures that future generations can continue to experience one of America’s most celebrated highways.

 

• 60 Years of the National Historic Preservation Act. For six decades, the National Historic Preservation Act has provided the legal framework that protects thousands of historic places across Arizona and the nation.

 

• 50 Years of the Historic Preservation Fund. Since 1976, the Historic Preservation Fund has provided essential support for State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, Certified Local Governments, and preservation projects that benefit communities throughout Arizona.

 

• 50 Years of the Federal Historic Tax Credit. The Federal Historic Tax Credit has transformed vacant and underused historic buildings into housing, hotels, offices, restaurants, and community spaces while creating jobs, attracting private investment, and revitalizing downtowns across Arizona and the nation.

 

Arizona Advocacy Priorities

 

The Arizona Preservation Foundation works year-round to advance preservation policies that strengthen communities across Arizona. Our advocacy priorities include:

​

• Protecting the Historic Preservation Fund and other federal preservation programs.

• Preserving the Section 106 review process to ensure federal projects consider impacts on historic and cultural resources.

• Supporting and expanding the Federal Historic Tax Credit.

• Advocating for robust funding for Arizona’s State Historic Preservation Office.

• Supporting long-term, dedicated state funding for historic preservation.

• Protecting threatened historic places and cultural landscapes throughout Arizona.

• Preserving the diverse stories, cultures, and traditions that define Arizona’s heritage.

 

Every preservation victory – large or small – is historic.

 

How You Can Use “This Is Historic”

 

The Arizona Preservation Foundation encourages preservation advocates, local governments, historical societies, museums, neighborhood organizations, Tribal partners, businesses, and community leaders to incorporate This Is Historic into their communications. Review and download the Toolkit, JPG, and PNG here. Use the tagline in:

​

• Advocacy alerts and calls to action

• Newsletters and email updates

• Public comments and legislative testimony

• Social media campaigns

• Website banners

• Event promotions

• Educational programs

• Staff email signatures

• Preservation Month activities

• America250 and Route 66 Centennial events

 

A shared message builds recognition and demonstrates that preservation advocates across Arizona are speaking with one voice.

 

Arizona Examples

 

Celebrating Route 66. For 100 years, Route 66 has connected travelers to Arizona’s unforgettable landscapes, historic downtowns, roadside architecture, classic motels, diners, trading posts, and neon signs. Preserving these places keeps one of America’s greatest transportation stories alive. This Is Historic.

 

Celebrating Preservation. Arizona’s historic places connect us to thousands of years of human history – from ancestral Indigenous communities to mining towns, ranches, barrios, military sites, Main Streets, and modern architectural landmarks. This Is Historic.

 

Supporting Preservation Funding. For fifty years, the Historic Preservation Fund has helped Arizona communities identify, document, and preserve irreplaceable historic resources. Continued investment ensures these programs remain available for future generations.  This Is Historic.

 

Protecting Historic Review. Section 106 review has helped balance economic development with the protection of archaeological sites, historic buildings, Tribal cultural resources, and significant landscapes throughout Arizona. This Is Historic.

 

Preserving Honest History. Arizona’s history is rich, diverse, and complex. Historic preservation should tell the complete story by recognizing the many people, cultures, and communities that have shaped our state. This Is Historic.

 

Get Involved

 

Historic preservation succeeds when people become advocates.

 

Whether you’re supporting a local landmark, attending a public hearing, writing an elected official, volunteering with a preservation organization, or simply sharing the story of a historic place in your community, your voice matters.

 

Together, we can ensure Arizona’s history remains visible, valued, and protected.

 

This Is Historic.

 

Join the Arizona Preservation Foundation in protecting Arizona’s historic places and stories for generations to come.