The Presidio is a National Historic Landmark District and its historic buildings, landscapes, and artifacts tell the story of our nation and its people across two centuries. To care for these resources and to enliven them for the next generation, the Presidio Trust is leading one of the largest and most ambitious historic preservation projects underway in the United States.
Since its work began, the Trust has rehabilitated or overseen the rehabilitation of more than 300 historic buildings and completed significant upgrades to more than 160 others. Historic landscapes including gardens and parade grounds have also been revived, including the historic forest. Beloved features such the major park gateways have also been returned to their previous elegance.
Preservation is core to the Trust’s mission not only because it safeguards resources but because reuse gives new purpose and meaning to the Presidio as a relevant, lively, and engaging destination. The Presidio is not just a collection of barracks and hangars but a place that welcomes and engages the community.
The Presidio Trust follows the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties in planning for and executing its preservation projects. These guidelines help protect the Presidio's National Historic Landmark District designation while allowing for upgrades and improvements (such as accessibility for the disabled) that prepare the buildings for contemporary uses. The Trust also makes a considerable effort to rehabilitate structures according to green building principles which incorporate environmentally sensitive materials and design.