A statewide network of preservation organizations

In 1997, in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts, we began the Preservation Colleagues program as a means of strengthening the work of preservationists across the State.

Preservation Colleagues are the front-line advocates and the behind-the-scenes heroes working on behalf of endangered landmarks, historic neighborhoods, rural landscapes, and commercial centers in their respective service areas.

This program fosters stronger bonds among the organizations to advance the goals of individual groups, and to promote a statewide preservation agenda collectively.

NEW in 2024! We’re bringing renewed attention to this essential network of preservation professionals and grassroots advocates. The revamped, membership-based Colleagues Program will focus on three core areas that have made this program so valuable to our nonprofit preservation partners: Networking, Training, and Advocacy. We will return to in-person gatherings, providing high quality educational and professional development content and—most importantly—providing the opportunity for Colleagues members to connect with one another.

Become a Colleagues member! Scroll down to join the network today.

Membership Levels

$250/year – Nonprofit organizations with professional staff
$75/year – Volunteer-led nonprofit organizations

We want to ensure that the Colleagues program is accessible to all of our nonprofit preservation colleagues. If cost is a barrier to your organization, please reach out to Caitlin Meives, Director of Preservation.

Membership benefits*

Listing on League’s website
Input on statewide advocacy agenda
Training opportunities and workshops
Exclusive behind-the-scenes site visits, hard hat tours, neighborhood tours
Twice annual virtual meetups
Annual feature on the League’s Instagram
Colleague spotlights in our monthly e-blasts
Discounted Pillar of New York tickets
Discounted registration to NY Statewide Preservation Conference

*Membership benefits available to all staff of the participating Colleague organization.

Interested in joining the network? We’d love to hear from you:

Caitlin Meives, Director of Preservation
cmeives@preservenys.org

NYS Preservation Colleagues Facebook Group
This Facebook group is open to all individuals across NYS who work in preservation in any capacity, regardless of membership status in the formal Preservation Colleagues program. Join the conversation!

Access materials from the Fall 2024 Virtual Colleagues Meetup: Manifesto Talk & Workshop with BlackSpace here!