Research, Action, and Design for the Past, Present, and Future
Chesapeake Mapping Initiative
Preservation Futures is working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation on the Chesapeake Mapping Initiative. The long-term project is intended to ensure that places important to African Americans are better represented in historic preservation and land conservation priorities in the Chesapeake Bay region, and ultimately that more of these places are recognized and protected.
Yes And: Exhibit Columbus 5
Preservation Futures are curatorial partners for Yes And, the fifth cycle of Exhibit Columbus. A program of the nonprofit organization Landmark Columbus Foundation, Exhibit Columbus is an internationally recognized two-year cycle of community, architecture, art, and design exhibitions and events.
Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study
Preservation Futures is working with the city of Joliet, IL, on a historic context study that documents the history and culture of the Joliet area Black community. While similar context studies have been undertaken in other parts of the United States, this will be only the second African American historic context study completed in the State of Illinois.
Ward Chapel AME Church of Cairo
The Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church of Cairo played a significant role in the history of enslaved people's search for freedom through the underground railroad, and in the American Civil Rights movement.
Will County Courthouse
Completed in 1969, the Will County Courthouse is one of the first buildings in the Chicago area designed in the Brutalist Style; Preservation Futures successfully listed the Courthouse to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023. In 2024, it was demolished by the County.
Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ
Preservation Futures worked to establish the national significance of Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ as part of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument established by President Biden in 2023.
The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley House
The story of Emmett Till’s murder in Money, Mississippi, in 1955 and his mother Mamie Till-Mobley's forgiveness of his killers, intimately links Chicago and its Black community to the Civil Rights Movement.
Century and Consumers Buildings
Preservation Futures developed a public information campaign to raise awareness of threats to these iconic Chicago Skyscrapers.
East Side Tap
The East Side Tap is a new bar located in a historic Schlitz Tied House on Chicago’s East Side. Preservation Futuress successfully listed the Tap on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.
Moser Highlands
Made up of unique Mid Century Modern homes constructed in the 1950s, the Moser Highlands are Naperville’s first complete subdivision.
James R Thompson Center
Opened in 1985 as a state office building in Chicago, the 17-story postmodern tower was sold to private developers in 2022. Preservation Futures nominated the building to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021, and though it was determined eligible for listing by the National Park Service, the nomination was rejected due to owner objection.