Outreach efforts of your historic preservation organization need not be limited to dues-paying members. Young people in your community could have much to offer your organization — and they might become paying members in the future.

To get young people interested in your organization, incorporate activities into your membership development efforts that appeal to the younger crowd in your community. While you are considering membership development and volunteer opportunities, identify members of your organization who would happily mentor young people.

Preservation Projects for Young People

Your organization can involve young people on many different types of projects and from different age groups. You could start by contacting your local school system to see what grade levels are studying local or state history.

Younger participants often make great technical consultants. They may be especially helpful with your online outreach through social media. Motivated high school students could undertake preservation projects such as these:

• Meet with an elected official about a preservation issue
• Prepare legislative briefing materials with a mentor
• Help organize other student advocates for your meeting
• Prepare and deliver testimony at a public meeting
• Make a film regarding a preservation issue and post it on YouTube
• Make an online map of your town that spotlights advocacy efforts
• Conduct a walking or driving survey of buildings within a potential historic district.

Teachers, public school and university systems, and state education boards are embracing hands-on opportunities such as those listed above. These projects are sometimes labeled service-learning projects. Service-learning educates participants through community-focused work that complements classroom instruction.

A Youth Summit held in conjunction with the president's 2006 Preserve America Summit spotlighted the role of young people in shaping national preservation public policy. The young preservation leaders at the Youth Summit presented members of the preservation establishment — and the First Lady — with their own list of requests. At the top of their list was "more service-learning opportunities."

Some service-learning projects in Wisconsin have focused on local history. The state offers online resources to help community members to partner with students on service-learning projects.

Programs for Young Preservationists

Some preservation groups around the country have developed programs to include young people in meaningful preservation work. These are two of those programs:

• The Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh (YPAP) encourages young people to participate in historic preservation. The YPAP hosts conferences that are open to preservationists outside of the Pittsburgh area.
• Colorado Preservation has one of the most developed youth-oriented preservation programs in the country. See the Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit Facebook page for more information on current programming.

Learn More

Historic Preservation Advocacy Guide

Find more how-to articles about historic preservation advocacy.