Located in the heart of Nebraska, Lincoln is a city with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. As a center for state politics, education, and economy, the city has accumulated many architecturally and historically significant buildings and districts that are now preserved as historic sites. The Lincoln Historic Preservation Commission, established in 1984, is the primary authority in charge of identifying, classifying, and promoting the preservation of historic properties in Lincoln.

One notable example of historic preservation in Lincoln is the Haymarket District, a historic area located in the downtown area of the city. Historically, this area was centered around the Lincoln Hay Market, a public market that operated since 1862. The district now features a mix of preserved 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, many of which have been adapted into shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Additionally, the Old City Hall, situated in the district, is a fine example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, and it is listed as a historic building by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The historic Good Samaritan Home neighborhood area showcases a different aspect of Lincoln's architectural history, specifically focusing on the development of single-family homes in the city. Many of these structures represent the rise of craftsmanship during the early 20th century. Examples include the 1890s Sherman Residence and the Kennedy-Gordon House, showcasing distinct architectural styles and techniques reflective of their respective eras. Both houses have been marked by the Lincoln Historic Preservation Commission as sites worthy of note for historical record.

Beyond building-specific restorations, Lincoln also engages in communitywide preservation strategies. For instance, the Historic Home District's Lincoln Preservation Plan, created in association with the Historic Preservation Commission, set goals for preserving, assessing, and rejuvenating architectural heritage in more community-centric terms. It introduced regular assessments to implement proper neighborhood repair and house upgrading across varied income ranges.

Furthermore, preservation extends to the regional landscape that defined early Nebraska life. Some of Nebraska's original prairies have been kept in natural status as the Nine Mile Prairie Preserve, located four miles east of Lincoln. It includes ongoing restoration projects seeking to return and further preserve such biodiverse sanctuary, which was frequently observed and meticulously recorded by early residents and those involved in state and regional historical projects.

This integration of organic, tangible historical sites provides an interconnected aspect that enriches local academic institutions, architectural studies, tourism, local lifestyles, regional history studies, private art displays, official historical commemoration groups and ultimately sets the legacy defining Lincoln more adequately as an exclusive place that understands its past, honoring heritage with profound impact.

An important component of Lincoln Historic Preservation has also involved bringing historic sites closer to the public eye, especially by encouraging visits to these locations through tourism campaigns. Given both local historical depth and current visitor information, such efforts continuously demonstrate an enriching tribute.

Currently, further development and study into preserved areas take the form of ongoing collaborations between researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Great Plains Art Museum and the Historic Preservation program organizers, further attesting to its vast potential as a notable regional and even national movement enriched and continuously connected to societal needs.