• Find non-profits Ohio has a robust system for preserving its historical heritage, supported by a wide array of organizations at the state, regional, and local levels.

• State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO): As the official historic preservation agency, SHPO oversees the identification, nomination, and protection of historic sites across Ohio. It manages the National Register of Historic Places nominations, reviews rehabilitation projects for tax credits, and offers grants, technical assistance, and educational programming. SHPO is part of the Ohio History Connection and has operated since 1967, following the National Historic Preservation Act

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• Preservation Ohio: This is the state’s oldest nonprofit dedicated to advocacy, education, and highlighting endangered historic sites. Since 1993, it has published the annual "Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites" list, which has helped save and repurpose numerous landmarks

Ohio is home to a vast network of local historical societies and preservation groups, including:

• Cincinnati Preservation Association

• Cleveland Restoration Society

• Columbus Landmarks Foundation

• Heritage Ohio (provides planning and technical support to local groups)

• German Village Society

• Oberlin Heritage Center

• Ohio Historic Bridge Association

• Numerous county and city historical societies, such as the Clark County Historical Society, Springfield Preservation Alliance, and many more

These organizations focus on a range of activities, from restoring specific landmarks to advocating for preservation-friendly policies and educating the public.

Ohio also recognizes several designated heritage areas, such as:

• Ohio & Erie Canal Corridor

• Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area

• Ohio National Road Association

• Maumee Valley Heritage Corridor

These groups work to preserve the unique historical and cultural landscapes of their respective regions

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Type	Examples/Functions
Statewide Agencies	State Historic Preservation Office, Preservation Ohio
Regional Heritage Areas	Ohio & Erie Canalway, Hill Country Heritage, National Road
Local Historical Societies	Cincinnati Preservation Association, Clark County Society
Advocacy/Technical Support	Heritage Ohio, Preservation Ohio

Ohio’s comprehensive approach ensures that its historical assets—from buildings and neighborhoods to archaeological sites and cultural landscapes—are documented, protected, and celebrated through the combined efforts of state, regional, and local organizations

• Find non-profits
• Ohio has a robust system for preserving its historical heritage, supported by a wide array of organizations at the state, regional, and local levels.

Statewide Leadership

Regional and Local Organizations

Regional Heritage Areas

Summary Table: Key Types of Preservation Organizations in Ohio