July 16, 2025

Now Available: AIA Cultural Heritage Advocacy Toolkit

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Founded in 1879, the AIA was chartered by the United States Congress in 1906, in recognition of its pivotal role in the creation and passage of the Antiquities Act, signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt. The AIA continues this legacy today, working to preserve the world’s archaeological resources and cultural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.  

Below you will find s practical resource to help individuals, institutions, and communities engage in advocacy for the protection of cultural heritage: 

Familiarize Yourself with Executive Orders Affecting Nonprofits: 

The National Council of Nonprofits has compiled a comprehensive chart detailing recent executive orders that may impact nonprofit organizations, including those focused on cultural heritage. These orders address areas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs; government grants and contracts; civic engagement; immigration; and certain nonprofit subsectors. 

Access the Executive Orders Chart: 
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/files/media/documents/2025/chart-executive-orders.pdf 

Track Relevant Legislation: 

Use tools like GovTrack.us, Congress.gov, or Legiscan to monitor legislation that may affect cultural funding, nonprofit regulations, or historic site protection. 

• Key terms: preservation, monument, archaeological, archeological, patrimony, cultural resources, archaeology, archaeology 

Contact your Representatives:

• Find Your U.S. Representative 
  https://www.house.gov/representatives 

• Contact Your U.S. Senators 
  https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm 

• Send a Letter in Support of NEH and IMLS 
  Use this ready-made template to advocate for funding of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): 
  https://www.congressweb.com/aam/94/ 

Additional Advocacy Tools: 

Use Social Media for Advocacy: 

Amplify your message using platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook. Tag your representatives and use hashtags like #PreserveCulturalHeritage, #FundMuseums, or #ProtectHistory. 

Support Local Preservation Ordinances – Attend city council meetings and advocate for ordinances that protect historic buildings, indigenous landmarks, or culturally significant landscapes. 

AIA Policies:  

Learn about the AIA’s official positions on archaeological ethics, site preservation, and heritage protection: https://www.archaeological.org/about/governance/policies/  

Third Party Resources:

Society for American Archaeologists

National Trust for Historic Preservation

American Cultural Resources Association

National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

PreservationAction.org