Sacramento celebrates over 40 years of historic preservation

The City of Sacramento – a city of rich history dating back to 1849 – is marking over 40 years of historic preservation programs, and is also recognizing the 50^th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. The City’s Preservation Commission and the Sacramento Heritage Board are holding events to celebrate.

Sacramento adopted its first historic preservation ordinance in 1974. In 1975, Sacramento leaders appointed members to its first Preservation Board. That same year the not-for-profit organization, Sacramento Heritage, Inc. (SHI), was founded. Since 1975, Sacramento Heritage, Inc. (SHI) has evolved to administer the City’s official historic properties plaque program and has developed a series of on-line self-guided walking tours. SHI has also assisted the City with historical surveys and the historic places grant program. This year also marks the 50^th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act, which set in motion the nation’s program to identify and protect resources significant in national, state and local histories.

“Sacramento has a great history,” said Roberta Deering, City of Sacramento’s Preservation Director. “The places that reflect that history are recognized and celebrated through efforts of the public to support historic preservation.”

To commemorate these events, Sacramento Heritage, Inc.’s Board of Directors and the City of Sacramento’s Preservation Commission have organized the following events in 2016:

• Exhibit of Sacramento’s Preservation History: A photographic exhibit highlighting Sacramento’s preservation history will be on display: at New City Hall (915 I Street), May through August 2016, and at McClatchy Library (2112 22^nd Street), November through December 2016.

• Celebratory Banner Display: During May 2016, banners at ten downtown locations will herald the success of architectural and historic preservation in Sacramento.

• Student Drawing Contest: SHI and the Sacramento City Unified School District are sponsoring student drawing contests to encourage young scholars to learn more about Sacramento’s historic places and their importance. For more information visit the Sacramento Heritage Drawing Contest.

• City Council Resolution: A resolution will be presented in May by City Councilmember Steve Hansen in recognition of over 40 years of preservation in Sacramento.

• Sacramento Preservation 40^th Anniversary Reception: A celebratory reception on      May 21 from 6-8 p.m., in the historic Elks Tower’s Rail Bridge Cellars. This event will highlight preservation in Sacramento and recognize local preservationists, contributors and sponsors. Space at the reception is limited – early reservations are encouraged.

In partnership with Preservation Sacramento, SHI is also hosting a series of casual, semi-monthly social hours at various venues. Times and locations are announced on the Sacramento Heritage Facebook page.

Some notable landmarks include the Elks Tower at 921 11^th Street as well as the Historic City Hall (lead photo) located at 915 I Street. Visit the Sacramento Register for a full list of the city’s historic landmarks and historic districts that have been designated over the past 40 years.

For further information on the 40^th Anniversary events, schedules, and reception reservations, visit Sacramento Heritage, Inc.