Preserving Equality: The Most Endangered Historic Places in America 2026
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has released its annual list of the most endangered historic places in the United States for 2026. This year's list, in honor of America's 250th anniversary, focuses on sites that highlight the principle that all people are created equal. The 11 sites selected showcase the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in American history, spanning from the East to the West Coast and the South to the Midwest and Rocky Mountain West.
Among the endangered sites are the historic Centennial Hill neighborhood in Montgomery, Alabama, which housed key figures of the Civil Rights Movement, and the Tule Lake Segregation Center in California, where Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II. The Angel Island Immigration Station in California, a significant port for immigrants from Asia and the Pacific, is also at risk due to various factors.
The list includes the Old Kennett Meetinghouse in Pennsylvania, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History building in Detroit, and the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, which is threatened by potential oil and gas development. The Women's Rights National Historic Park in New York, the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, and the President's House Site in Philadelphia are also on the list.
These sites face various challenges, from deferred maintenance backlogs to threats from development and environmental factors. The National Trust for Historic Preservation will provide each site with a one-time grant of $25,000 to support their preservation efforts and raise awareness about their historical significance. It is crucial to protect these places not only for their architectural value but also for the stories they hold and the lessons they can teach future generations.