About the DPA
Rooted in History.
Invested in Duluth’s Future.
Founded in 1978 by a passionate group of Duluthians, the Duluth Preservation Alliance (DPA) is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the city’s architectural heritage—including historic homes, buildings, monuments, and architecturally significant landmarks. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, the DPA promotes thoughtful stewardship of the places that shape Duluth’s identity and sense of place.
Guided by a nine-member board and supported by six active committees, the DPA welcomes volunteers and community members who share a passion for preserving Duluth’s history.
The DPA works alongside homeowners, developers, community leaders, and residents to encourage preservation-minded growth and sustainable investment in Duluth’s future. Through educational programs, tours, awards, and preservation resources, the organization celebrates Duluth’s architectural legacy while helping create a vibrant, livable city for generations to come.
We’re here for Duluth. Because this isn’t anywhere USA.
Our Logo Past and Present
Our original logo featured the D. Clint Prescott House, an extraordinary Victorian residence built in 1888 by industrialist D. Clint Prescott. Often described as a “carnival” of architectural detail, the three-story home was filled with towers, gables, porches, and intricate woodwork—even extending into its closets. Though once a showpiece of Duluth’s West End, the home was rarely occupied after the 1890s, later earning a reputation as a “haunted house” before being dismantled in 1946. Its loss remains a powerful reminder of how easily historic treasures can disappear.
Our new logo reflects that same commitment to preservation through a building that still stands. Inspired by the carved stone entrance of the Duluth Board of Trade Building, completed in 1895, the design draws from one of downtown’s most significant landmarks. Once the center of the region’s thriving grain industry, the building evolved over time—from a hub of commerce to a cultural space, and now into thoughtfully restored residential lofts. Its continued use, while retaining its historic character, represents the kind of preservation the Duluth Preservation Alliance strives to support.
Together, these two symbols tell a larger story—of loss and renewal, of what we’ve learned, and of the work still ahead to protect Duluth’s architectural legacy.
Why We Updated our Logo in 2026
As the Duluth Preservation Alliance membership grows, we refreshed our identity to better reflect who we are today. The updated logo brings a more recognizable and modern look while staying true to our purpose, helping us connect with a broader audience—including the next generation of preservationists. It reflects a living, evolving city and invites more people to take part in preserving Duluth’s historic character.
Guiding Our Work
Vision: Protect the past and inspire the future
Mission: Being stewards of our historic places by advocating for the past. Offering education and sustainable solutions to the Duluth area community.
Values: Education + Stewardship + Vision + Community
Duluth Preservation Alliance Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.
For more than four decades, the Duluth Preservation Alliance has been dedicated to historic preservation in our community. View our official bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.
Meeting Minutes
If you’re interested in reviewing any of the Board of Director Meeting Minutes or financials, email us at: DuluthPreservationAlliance@gmail.com
A Walk Through History: The Incline Steps
Once a vital link between downtown and the hillside, the Incline Railway—built in the late 1800s—carried residents up the hill along one of Duluth’s steepest routes. Today, the restored steps follow that original path. With support and advocacy from the Duluth Preservation Alliance, this historic route has been preserved for the community to enjoy.
