U.S. General Services Administration
GSA Celebrates Preservation Month 2026
As America prepares to celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Preservation Month is an opportune time to reflect upon GSA’s commitment to preserving some of the country’s most significant historic buildings. Our nation’s founders believed that federal architecture should symbolize the democratic ideals of the new nation, and they looked to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration.
Upon its establishment in 1949, GSA inherited responsibility for much of this architectural legacy, which includes custom houses, courthouses, border stations, and federal agency buildings across the United States and its territories. These Greek Revival, Romanesque Revival, Beaux Arts, and Neoclassical federal buildings collectively symbolize the permanence and stature of the federal government.
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 directed the government to “administer federally owned, administered, or controlled historic property in a spirit of stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of present and future generations.” On a daily basis, dedicated GSA staff ensure that our 566 historic buildings fulfill both this mandate — and also our mission to provide the best customer experience and value in real estate.
Our teams work to ensure we maintain our historic properties and fine art collection, honoring America’s heritage and history. Recent and upcoming reinvestments include:
- Restoration of the Alton Lennon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse after it experienced damage during Hurricane Florence.
- Preservation of the historic cast-iron roof and dome at the U.S. Custom House in Savannah.
- Facade restoration at the James R. Browning U.S. Court of Appeals Building in San Diego.
- Upcoming rehabilitation of our historic Washington, D.C., headquarters building, which we will transform into modern offices where GSA and OPM will work under one roof.
In celebration of America’s 250th celebration, GSA has made small, targeted investments to clean, refurbish, and update our buildings and artwork as needed. From cleaning and upkeep of Louise Nevelson’s Bicentennial Dawn installation in the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse to restoring the fountains at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse and the U.S. Pension Building (National Building Museum) in Washington, D.C., GSA is committed to honoring our unique and invaluable heritage for generations to come.
Recognizing that government needs to evolve and change over time, the NHPA put forth a process for agencies to consider the effect of their actions on historic properties and take action to preserve them. In this spirit, GSA has consistently worked with communities on not only historic property reinvestment, but also, when necessary, their transition out of the federal inventory.
As GSA strengthens the federal real estate portfolio, we remain committed to sound preservation stewardship. As assets are repositioned, we will work with our partners through the established process, leveraging the benefit of the nation’s architectural legacy for all Americans.