California Preservation Foundation

What We've Done

The California Preservation Foundation (CPF) was organized in 1977 by the Board of Californians for Preservation Action (CPA), preservationists who saw a need to join forces to save important California landmarks and neighborhoods. The California Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3), membership-based not-for-profit corporation. In January 1979, the Foundation hired its first executive director. Since then the organization has had four Executive Directors, and more than 100 incredible individuals have volunteered countless hours to support CPF as members of the Board of Trustees.

Historical Highlights

CPF’s Top Historical Highlights, 1975 – 2011

More Than 30 Years of Sponsoring the California Preservation Conference

Since the mid-1970s, first CPA and then CPF has held an annual statewide conference where preservationists can gather, exchange ideas, network and organize around important issues. The next conference will be held in Santa Monica May 15-18, 2011.

Over a Quarter-Century of Honoring the Best in California:
The Preservation Design Awards

The Preservation Design Awards (PDA) honors the accomplishments of architects, engineers, developers, preservation consultants, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and others for outstanding examples of preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, contextual infill, sustainability, cultural resource studies and reports, craftsmanship and preservation technology, and archeology and interpretive exhibits. In 2010, the PDA was held at the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. In September 2011, it will be held at The Conservatory of Music in San Francsico.

Over 150 Workshops on 41 Different Topics Throughout California

CPF has educated preservationists on a vast array of historic preservation topics, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), "Award-Winning Design Solutions," "Using the State Historical Building Code," "Guiding Design on Main Streets," "Victorian Restoration," "Federal Preservation Law," "Landmark and Cultural Heritage Commissions," and Certified Local Government programs.

Recognizing Contributions

The California Preservation Foundation gives annual awards recognizing outstanding contributions to preservation in California.

Legislator of the Year Awards
At the Annual California Preservation Conference, CPF recognizes legislative and local political leadership in historic preservation through its "Legislator of the Year" Award. The award is only given in a particular year if it is truly warranted.

The President's Awards

The President's Awards are presented at the Annual California Preservation Conference. These special awards acknowledge individual efforts, cumulative efforts, and regionally or community significant contributions that furthers the cause of preservation or advocacy. Notable recipients of this prestigious award include:

Ry Cooder;
The Annenberg Foundation;
The National Trust for Historic Preservation;
The Little Manila Foundation, Patricio Ginelsa and the Black Eyed Peas.

Web Presence provided by CoLiminal