Preservation Worcester was founded in 1969 by interested local citizens who were increasingly concerned about the future of Worcester’s architectural heritage in reaction to urban renewal programs and the then standard practice of “destroy the old, build anew.” Started as a volunteer organization, Preservation Worcester named Janet McCorison as its first non-volunteer Executive Director in the mid 1970s. Now with more than 600 active members, the organization has a four-person staff headquartered at 61 Harvard Street, a Greek Revival building constructed between 1836 and 1838 by Stephen Salisbury II. We purchased the building in 2022 and it is listed on the National Register of Historic places. We have embarked upon a 5-year initiative to restore the home to its former glory. PW rents a significant portion of the building to tenants with a goal of transforming the building as a creative center. It serves as a successful model of adaptive reuse renting office space to support operating expenses. Over the years, Preservation Worcester was instrumental is safeguarding important structures including Mechanics Hall, Union Station, the Chestnut Street Church, the Fire Alarm & Telegraph Building, the Quinsigamond School and the Stearns Tavern