Nominations are now open for the 2026 Historic Preservation Awards, which recognize achievements in historic preservation across Central Iowa.

The awards will be presented during the Des Moines Heritage Trust’s annual Historic Preservation Awards Dinner on May 14 at the Des Moines Heritage Center.

Eligible projects must have been completed between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2025, and be within either Polk, Story, Boone, Jasper, Marion, Warren, Madison or Dallas counties.

Awards will be presented in seven categories:

• Historic preservation champion
• Historic preservation hall of fame
• Commercial preservation project of the year under 5,000 square feet
• Commercial preservation project of the year over 5,000 square feet
• Residential preservation project of the year
• Adaptive re-use project of the year
• Preservation program/organization/neighborhood/special project

Nomination packets must include the category, owner, architect and contractor, a brief description of the nominee or project, and before-and-after photos of the project.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, Dec. 19. Submissions can be emailed to sarah@desmoinesheritagetrust.org.

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