There are many ways in which you can participate and build awareness of the need for historic preservation in your own community. Here are some ideas for activities that you may like to host in your neighborhood:

1) Host an open house to show off a historic building that has been recently restored or is in need of restoration.

2) Work with students to research the history of their community or a well-known local landmark such as their school, then put on a pageant to present their findings.

3) Hold a career day, inviting preservationists, architects, craftspeople, researchers and others to speak to students about their work.

4) Encourage Main Street merchants to create special store-window displays that highlight the history of their business or building.

5) If a historic building in town is threatened with demolition, hold rallies, letter-writing campaigns, cleanup days, and/or and public town meetings.

6) Hold workshops for owners of historic houses.

7) Organize a work project to clean up a historic town square, park or cemetery.

8) Conduct a walking tour through a historic district.

9) Collect "then and now" photos of your community and exhibit them in a public space such as a school or library.

10) Present preservation awards to those who have made a difference in your community.

11) Organize a block party, community picnic or period fashion show in a historic neighborhood or park.

12) Hold a photo or architectural trivia contest.

13) Volunteer on an archaeological dig.

14) Conduct oral history interviews with longtime residents.

15) Bury a Community Time Capsule to be opened in 2057.