Happy New Year to our Preservation Raleigh community!
As we gather with friends and family to ring in 2026, we find ourselves reflecting on the past twelve months. Since founding Preservation Raleigh in 2023, each year has brought new milestones and a deeper connection to the city we love. 2025 was the year we moved from building a foundation to taking direct action in the rooms where Raleigh’s future is decided.
The true work of fulfilling our mission occurs every year during Preservation Month in May with our Places in Peril (PIP) program. This community-driven list is crucial to our work. These nominated properties are how we identify the places most at risk, and they determine where our board and committees can focus our energy.
That focus led our Advocacy Committee into an active 2025. We maintained a constant presence at Raleigh Historic Development Commission (RHDC) and City Council meetings to push for thoughtful, compatible rezonings. Most notably, we were deeply involved in the rezoning request known as Case Z-12-25. Working alongside grassroots groups like Raleigh Neighbors Unite, our Board submitted a formal letter of opposition to express our concerns. While the process was challenging, it was also illuminating—it clarified the vital work Preservation Raleigh must do. Even when the outcomes were not what we hoped, these experiences clarified our mission and strengthened our resolve.
Preservation Raleigh was also proud to announce a collaboration with the Raleigh City Cemeteries Preservation (RCCP). This partnership ensures the lasting accessibility of vital historical resources for our community. RCCP, founded in 2006, was instrumental in advocating for and preserving Raleigh’s historic public cemeteries for nearly two decades. Their work was so successful that it paved the way for the City of Raleigh to assume a more direct role in the ongoing care of these sites. As the RCCP board has dissolved, they have entrusted their legacy to Preservation Raleigh. We are honored to take on the role of hosting their extensive website and archives on our website, allowing their years of dedicated research to remain readily available to the public.
Of course, preservation is also about the joy of discovery and the celebration of our shared story. This year’s standout event was our Toilet Tour. It was a big success providing a quirky and fascinating look at how domestic life and infrastructure have evolved in Raleigh. Learn more about The Toilet Tour here. We were delighted to share our love of old things with over 170 friends who can’t wait to see what lies in store for next year’s special event.
We also had the privilege of organizing a Hidden Gems tour of the St. Augustine’s University Chapel, a powerful 1890s landmark built by students that reminds us why these physical pieces of history are worth the fight.
During 2025, our leadership evolved to meet these growing challenges:
- Welcoming New Board Members: We were thrilled to add Reeves Peeler, Jenny Kulikowski, Jane Forde, and Katie Pate to our Board of Directors.
- New Advisory Council: We have officially formed an Advisory Council to provide deeper strategic guidance, with names to be announced in early 2026.
- Honoring Our Founders: We extend our gratitude to our departing founding board members: Nick Fountain, Ruth Little, and Edna Rich-Ballentine. Their vision since our 2023 founding made this mission possible.
Advocacy requires resources—from filing formal letters to organizing community tours. As a donor-supported nonprofit, your year-end gift directly funds our ability to stay present at City Council and keep our historic sites on the radar.
| Support Preservation Raleigh in 2026: Your support is crucial to our mission. Please consider supporting Preservation Raleigh! |
Thank you for being a champion for Raleigh’s past and an architect of its future. We look forward to seeing you at our events in 2026!
With gratitude,
The Preservation Raleigh Board
All donations above are tax-deductible, and it will help make a real local impact. We are deeply grateful for your continued support in preserving Raleigh’s architectural heritage.