The Historic Districts Council was founded in 1971 as a coalition of community groups from the city’s 
designated historic districts–of which there were only 18 at the time–primarily to work on special projects and networking. In the late 1970s our focus shifted to helping advance district designations; in the 1980s our advocacy role expanded and finally, in 1986, we became an independent, incorporated organization with our own officers. HDC’s first full-time executive director was hired in 1992.
HDC advocates for historic preservation through local community groups, the Landmarks Preservation Commission and many other preservation groups. To find out more about HDC’s neighborhood partners click here.