Council re-introduces Historic Preservation Grants program | Applications now open

Money collected for the Historical Preservation Grant Program is dedicated to promoting historical preservation or historical programs, which may include preservation of historic documents.

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

During October, Council approved reopening the Historic Preservation Grant Program. This program requests proposals from qualified entities to use San Juan County Council’s Historical Preservation Funds to promote historical preservation or historical programs. The fund has $16,763 available to award in 2025.

Background

In 2005, the State Legislature created a $1 surcharge per recorded document. The purpose of the funds collected is to “promote historical preservation or historical programs, which may include preservation of historic documents.” The funds can be used for historical preservation or programs, which may, but do not have to, include preservation of historic documents. These funds are to be used “at the discretion of the county commissioners,” aka the county legislative authority.

How to Apply

Projects may include the acquisition or preservation of locally historic buildings and artifacts, developing and presenting locally historical programs or events, or performing research into local history.  Applicants must be non-profit or governmental entities that perform educational, interpretive, or preservative activities to promote or preserve the County’s local history.  Applicants must demonstrate a preservation need, and funds are available for specific projects only.

Find the application materials on the County’s website: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2373/Historic-Preservation-Grant-Program

Next Steps

Projects will be selected based on the best presentation of need, benefit and merit to San Juan County residents and visitors. Applications must be completed in full and sent via email, mailed or delivered to San Juan County Council offices by 5:00 pm on Monday, December 1, 2025.

Requests For Proposals (RFPs) for the 2025 Historic Preservation Grants will be reviewed by the Council on December 2, 2025. Funding will be awarded towards the end of the year.

Please call Clerk to the Council Sally Rogers at 360-370-7472 for further information and an application or email sallyr@sanjuancountywa.gov.