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Home > Preservation Help >
Policy and Legislation
To Learn about the most recent Legislative Issues click here.
The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation keeps members informed about how to advocate for preservation at the federal, state and local level. Government policy greatly affects preservation. Zoning laws, tax regulations and funding decisions can encourage preservation, protect historic buildings and revitalize downtowns. They can also do the opposite - encourage sprawl, destroy established neighborhoods and lead to the destruction of our state's significant architectural heritage. Preservation of Connecticut's distinct architectural heritage resources contributes greatly to the economy of the State and the quality of life for its residents and visitors. It is important to stay informed and support the state's invaluable architectural, historic and cultural heritage. The Trust works diligently to support and shape public policy to protect our state's historic resources in both public and private forums at the federal, state and local levels.
National Trust for Historic Preservation On the federal level the Trust works closely with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to protect legislation that promotes and enhances historic preservation issues and ideas. The National Trust has developed a grassroots network of preservation advocates who work with elected officials to support proven preservation policies. The NTHP Legislative Action Center lists current legislative issues and allows constituents to voice their support of preservation approaches to elected officials. Preservation Advocate News, published by the NTHP is a quarterly publication that provides an in-depth look at preservation issues in Congress, state legislatures and local city halls.
Preservation Action Another national organization is Preservation Action which advocates federal legislation to further the impact of historic preservation at the local, state and national level. This Washington, D.C. based not-for-profit coordinates a network of community activists, preservation professionals, historians, commercial investors and civic leaders which work together to advocate for our architectural heritage. PA monitors federal legislation and keeps members informed of its consequences for preservation through updates, committee conference calls, quarterly national meetings and in-depth policy reports. Their website features "Preservation Action Legislative Watch" and an "Advocacy Toolkit" which includes a step-by-step guide to lobbying on Capitol Hill and at home. They also provide Legislative Issue papers and Legislation Resources.
Connecticut Heritage Coalition On the state level, the CTHP advocates before the state legislature each year for community planning, historic districts, and protection of our state's significant architectural and historical heritage. The Trust is a member of the Connecticut Heritage Coalition, which supports the state's cultural heritage programs, including the funding and organizational integrity of the State Historic Preservation Office, protecting grant programs to state historical and preservation organizations and supporting programs that attract tourists and tourist dollars. Together with Connecticut Preservation Action, the Trust heads up all preservation related matters at the Capitol in Hartford. Connecticut Preservation Action is the statewide lobbying organization for historic preservation in the state.
Local Organizations Locally, the CTHP is available to work with local preservation organizations to develop strategies for successfully protecting our preservation programs and help local groups enact legislation to protect their communities from sprawl, preserve small town character and revitalize neighborhoods. Our circuit riders are available to meet with individuals and organizations to discuss the best way for you to protect the architectural and historic character of your town. If we don't support and advocate for historic preservation, Connecticut will loose significant architectural and cultural resources, historic sites will close, community life will be undermined and preservation programs wil disappear. For more information about Policy and Legislation or any of the organizations please select from one of the links provided below.
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