How to Save a Place

BECOME AN ADVOCATE

Build Grassroots SupportStart with a grassroots campaign to galvanize the local community.

Then, when you approach government leadership, you'll be able to

demonstrate that the place you're trying to save has a lot of people

pulling for it. You can get people involved in a variety of ways.

Heart-BombingHeart-bombing is a fun way to get

great visuals of people interacting

with historic places. All you need

are a group of building-lovers and

elementary school art supplies.

Set a date and time to meet up

with your hand-made hearts, and

show a threatened building your

love.

This Place Matters CampaignAnother great way to gather supporters and build buzz is through the

This Place Matters campaign. Just print a sign, take a photo, and

share it with the #ThisPlaceMatters hashtag. Keep an eye on the

hashtag, and when you see other folks sharing your site, reach out to

them to become more involved in your campaign.

Activate Your TeamOnce you have your advocates on board, it's important to make sure

they have something to do after showing their love. A good next step

can be a petition from a site such as Change.org, where anyone can

build a social media-friendly petition.

Street CanvassingOffline petitions are useful, too. Enthusiastic advocates can make a

huge difference in getting your message out -- and more names on

your petition. Be sure your team is prepared with the details they need

to answer questions, a handout with additional information … and

never underestimate the power of props.

Phone BankingPhone banking is especially helpful when tied with an online petition,

as your phone bankers can give people the web address of the

petition to sign as part of their call script.

“Honk and Wave”If getting as many eyeballs as possible

for your place-saving project is a goal,

a "honk and wave" might be just the

thing. Your spirited group of

preservationists can help get drivers

and passers-by fired up with passion

for the cause.

Take It to the (Grass) TopThe next step in advocating is getting your message in front of the

government leaders who can impact your project. Don't limit yourself

to lobbying only at the federal level; focus on relationship-building and

face-to-face advocacy at the state and local levels as well.

Tips for LobbyingTime your meeting request for when lawmakers are going to be

considering the project you're interested in. Gather accurate, factual

material to support your position; build that information into a brief

document you can leave behind as a reminder. Keep your examples

as specific and local as possible. And say thank you!

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America’s

historic places. Preservation Tips & Tools helps others do the same

in their own communities.

For more information, visit blog.preservationnation.org.

Photos Courtesy: Slide 1: Sabastiaan ter Burg, Wikimedia Commons, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Ohio Valley Young Preservationists. Slide 2:Bernard Pollack, Flickr. Slide 3: Ohio Valley Young Preservationists. Side 4:National Trust for Historic Preservation. Slide 5: Leci Brandao, Flickr. Slide 6:Costa Constantinides, Flickr. Slide 7: National Trust for Historic Preservation. Slide 8: David Weible. Slide 9: Sabastiaan ter Burg, Wikimedia Commons. Slide 10: National Trust for Historic Preservation