National Alliance of Preservation Commissions

 

Our Mission: “To build strong local preservation programs through education, advocacy, and training.”

The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions was founded in 1983 in response to amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.  These amendments provided financial assistance to local governments that met requirements of the Certified Local Government program, including the establishment of a local preservation ordinance and commission.  NAPC was formed to provide a forum for commissions to discuss mutual problems and to serve as a national voice representing the particular needs of commissions.

Originally based in Washington, D.C., NAPC has been housed since the late 1980s at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA, in the College of Environment and Design’s Center for Community Design and Preservation.  This partnership helps NAPC fulfill its mission as a national nonprofit organization with the numerous resources available in a higher education institution.

NAPC provides technical support and manages an information network to help local commissions accomplish their preservation objectives.  Our established education and training programs, including our biennial National Commission Forum conference and Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP), have provided essential training to thousands of commission members and municipal staff.  NAPC also serves as an advocate at federal, state and local levels of government to promote policies and programs that support preservation commission efforts, thanks in part to collaboration with our partner organizations in Washington, D.C.