Kalamazoo employs a full time Historic Preservation Coordinator to advise and assist in a wide variety of projects from neighborhood planning to regulating the historic districts to helping property owners locate available tax credits and assistance. Kalamazoo is also one of sixteen certified local governments in the state of Michigan. This designation makes the city eligible for grants that assist historic preservation related planning activities.  Historic Preservation Applications, Forms & Permits are available. You can contact the Historic Preservation Coordinator at 269-337-8044 or by email.

Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) advises City administration and educates the public on preservation issues and serves as Kalamazoo's Historic District Study Committee.

The HPC has also developed a resource guide, Where Place Prospers (.pdf), which discusses planning and development tools and incentives for building rehabilitation projects.

Preservation Month spotlights Kalamazoo's heritage for an entire month with events throughout the city. Check out this calendar of events in downtown Kalamazoo, at Henderson Castle and the Drake House. Everything from a movie to walking tours and awards. Join us to celebrate our history during Preservation Month.

Kalamazoo Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission (HDC) makes quasi-judiciary decisions on design review for proposed exterior work in designated historic districts.  HDC decisions carry the weight of law and may be appealed to the State Historic Preservation Review Board.  The duties of the HDC are defined in Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinances.  Learn more about the HDC and Kalamazoo's Local Historic Districts. 

National Register Historic Districts

A National Register Historic District is honorary; it engages a review of effect on projects utilizing federal funds and it makes income-producing properties eligible for the Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit – also known as the Historic Preservation Tax Credit.  Contact the Historic Preservation Coordinator for more information (269-337-8804).  Learn more about Kalamazoo's National Register of Historic Places.

The City of Kalamazoo is proud to share our history in the book Kalamazoo: Lost and Found, which is now for sale in various locations around the city.

Kalamazoo’s historic sites can be found all over the city. From Bronson Park surrounded by historic religious, government and civic buildings to neighborhoods full of homes and small businesses to parks and schools. In 2001, Kalamazoo finished the first citywide historic resource survey in the state of Michigan. This comprehensive reconnaissance level survey evaluated all the buildings dating before 1957 throughout the city, except the 1800 located in established historic districts. This inventory is a valuable resource in evaluating the impact of private and public projects on historic properties.

Window Rehabilitation - Preservation Trades Training