As a result of Preservation Durham's efforts, Durham has developed a stronger sense of its heritage and many significant preservation initiatives have come to fruition.

Preservation Durham's offices are at 200 N. Mangum Street, in the heart of the Downtown Durham Historic District. Our mailing address is PO Box 25411, Durham, NC 27702-5411.

Preservation Durham has helped establish the Durham Historic Preservation Commission; Historic Stagville Foundation; St. Joseph's Historic Foundation and the Hayti Heritage Center. Preservation Durham was instrumental in the preservation of the Carolina Theatre downtown, Leigh Farm in southwest Durham County, and other significant buildings and sites. It has also been working to define and register historic districts throughout Durham, promoting rehabilitation of properties by making them eligible for preservation tax credits.

In 2000, Preservation Durham established the Endangered Properties Fund, originally called the Revolving Fund, to help save homes and commercial buildings by adding protective preservation covenants during real estate transactions.

The Renovators Network presents workshops for homeowners on all aspects of the restoration of old houses.

Preservation Durham's major project each year since 1997 has been the annual Old Durham Home Tour, held the first Saturday of May. The tours have introduced hundreds of people to many of the diverse neighborhoods that make up our community. From grand mansions to simple bungalows to abandoned tobacco warehouses now revived as stylish apartments, the variety of living in Durham is on display each Spring.

In 2007, Preservation Durham presented The Trinity Tour, exploring the early 20th century neighborhoods around the campus of Trinity College, now the Duke University East Campus, as well as historic buildings on the campus itself.

Preservation Durham also presents Walking Tours of Downtown Durham on Saturdays from April to November. These free docent-guided tours focus on various themes to explore Durham's history including Durham's Tobacco Heritage, Durham's Civil Rights Legacy, and Architecture and Landscape in the City.

Preservation Durham sponsors the annual George and Mary Pyne Preservation Awards, which have recognized nearly 200 properties since 1976. In 2002 Preservation Durham established the Neighborhood Conservation Award to honor individuals and projects that help preserve the context and enhance the livability of the Bull City. Preservation Durham presents the Bartlett Durham Award to individuals who have shown outstanding leadership and sustained involvement in historic preservation in Durham County. The George Linder Essay Contest challenges Durham school students to do original historic research.

Preservation Durham began its Plaque Program in 2001 when 15 of the most significant buildings in Durham were the first to be identified with specially designed bronze plaques. Properties at least 75 years old may be considered for recognition with a Preservation Durham Plaque.

• Preservation Durham Historic Sites Notecards. Order by mail.
  
  
• The Way We Were, Mena Webb, 2003.
  
  
• Bull Durham and Beyond: a Touring Guide to City and County, John Braxton Flowers, III and Marguerite Schumann, 1976.
  
  
• The Durham Architectural and Historic Inventory, Claudia Roberts, et al., 1982.
  

• The Durham Record, Jean B. Anderson and J. B. Flowers, eds., vol. 1, 1983.
  
  
• Piedmont Plantation: The Bennehan-Cameron Family and Lands in North Carolina, Jean B. Anderson, 1985.
  
  
• Durham County: A History of Durham County, North Carolina, Jean Bradley Anderson, 1990.
  
  
• Durham County, North Carolina, Church and Family Cemetery Data to 1985, Gordon Ruckart, 1992.