Historic Preservation Links and Resources

Financial Resources

 Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants (Legacy Grants)
 
When Minnesota voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008, the state legislature created the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (H.F. 1231), a portion of which was appropriated to the Minnesota Historical Society for history-related projects around the state.  Legacy Grants are divided into categories based on size: Small and Structured Grants (less than $10,000) and Large Grants (over $10,000), as well as into categories based on the scope of the project: History or Historic Preservation. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, state/local government units, federally-recognized tribes and educational institutions.  


 State and Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits
 
The Minnesota Historic Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit  offers a 20% state income tax credit for qualified historic rehabilitations, and parallels the existing Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit. It also offers project investors an option of a grant-in-lieu of a credit, whichever option best suits a developer's tax situation, in order to maximize the efficiency of public dollars assisting in the project. The program requires an application with the State Historic Preservation Office before project work begins.  Projects must meet the following basic eligibility requirements:

  • The property must be a certified historic structure. A building listed on the National Register of Historic Places or certified as contributing to a Registered Historic District.
  • Owner must submit an application to the SHPO before construction work begins.
  • The project must meet the "substantial rehabilitation test".
  • Project plans must be approved by the National Park Service (NPS) and certified as meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
  • The completed work must be approved by NPS and allowed the federal tax credit.
  • The completed project must be income-producing.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of a qualified tax advisory with questions concerning specific tax consequences before proceeding with any tax credit rehabilitation project.

Foundation Grants

Some private foundations include historic preservation among activities eligible for funding. You may need to be creative in finding a fit for your project; the term historic preservation is often not used by funders. See the Minnesota Council on Foundations' Guide to Minnesota Grantmakers or look for the guide at your local library.

 Façade Easements

The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota accepts easement donations from property owners who wish to preserve in perpetuity the facades of qualifying historic buildings. Such donations are eligible for federal and state income tax deductions and may qualify for ongoing tax advantages.

 Construction Resources

The State Historic Preservation Office provides a Preservation Specialists Directory as a resource for those seeking the products or services of companies/individuals with experience in preserving, rehabilitating or evaluating historic properties or assisting local historical organizations and museums. These companies/individuals have requested or consented to be placed on this list. However, the SHPO and the City of Faribault in no way endorses any of these companies or individuals. We strongly recommend you check references, review previous projects and conduct careful interviews of prospective providers.  They also provide information to property owners on how to maintain and rehab their historic properties.   In addition, they have handy tips for Selecting a Historic Properties Contractor.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit organization that works to preserve historic buildings and landscapes. The website has links to National Trust programs and includes information for owners of historic homes.

The National Park Service maintains Links to the Past, comprehensive information about cultural resources, including the National Register of Historic Places, preservation tax credits and technical preservation publications.

Historic Research Resources

The Rice County Historical Society was founded in 1926 with the mission of "discovery, preservation and dissemination of the knowledge of the history of Rice County and the State of Minnesota. They operate history camps, school tours, public programs and workshops, in addition to maintaining historical displays, a genealogical research center, exhibit area and the Faribault House.  

The Dalby Database contains a wealth of information on history books, plats, obituaries, cemeteries, church records, marriage and birth records, Civil War veterans and city directories of Rice County.  

The Minnesota Historical Society provides information on Minnesota's historic sites, programming, searchable collections and other information about the history of Minnesota.  The State Historic Preservation Office is a branch of the MHS which identifies, evaluates and protects Minnesota's important historic and archaeological resources.  Their websites provide information on survey and planning efforts, contacts for technical assistance and on-line public information publications.