Our History

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 10 Cedar Street, an American Foursquare with Colonial Revival details. The building was donated to the organization in 1992 and renovated through a Massachusetts Preservation Project Fund Grant. 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 and the Quinsigamond School.