Preservation Action Fund

This real estate program is dedicated to purchasing, restoring, protecting, and re-activating historic properties throughout King County.

2018 © Eroyn Franklin

Eligible Properties

To be considered for acquisition, a historic property must meet local landmark designation criteria, be threatened, and have local support. Properties must be within King County, but outside the City of Seattle.

Advisory Team

Historic preservation professionals from 4Culture, King County’s Historic Preservation Program, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and Historic Seattle are members of the Preservation Action Fund advisory team. Historic Seattle leads the development activity.

Project Selection

Endangered or neglected historic buildings of all kinds - residential, commercial, agricultural, or institutional – may be acquired through this fund. The goal for each project is to replenish and potentially grow the fund through the sale of the rehabilitated property.

Current Project

In April 2025, Historic Seattle closed on the purchase of the historic Carnegie Library building located in downtown Auburn. From the building’s opening in 1914 through 1964, this was Auburn’s main public library. The building was later sold and operated as the Auburn Dance Center. It was a home for dance and music classes for several decades and was designated a King County Landmark in 1995. Throughout its history, this building has been a cultural anchor within the Auburn community.

Historic Seattle and the Preservation Action Fund Advisory Team are committed to identifying partners and a future use that generates community benefits while also ensuring equity is returned to the fund to support other projects. For more information about this opportunity, see PAF Auburn Opportunity.

Completed Project

In May 2019, Historic Seattle utilized the Preservation Action Fund to purchase the Ronnei-Raum House, a 1904 cottage in Fall City. For many decades, it was home to the caretaker of the Falls City Masonic Lodge, which sits next door. Historic Seattle developed a plan to rehabilitate the Ronnei-Raum House before selling it to a local family, and ensured its protection through landmark designation and a preservation easement.

The Ronnei-Raum House in 1940, from the Washington State Archives.
The Ronnei-Raum House, photo couresy of Historic Seattle.
The Ronnei-Raum House, to the right of the Falls City Masonic Lodge. Photo courtesy of the King County Preservation Program.

For more information please contact Dana Phelan, Preservation Lead at 4Culture, or Kji Kelly, Executive Director of program partner Historic Seattle.