Historic Preservation in Wake Forest
The Town of Wake Forest has a rich history in northern Wake County and piedmont North Carolina. Tangible evidence of that history is visible throughout the town and especially within the core surrounding the old campus and downtown. Wake Forest takes great pride in its history and historic built environment. In 1979, the Town established the Historic Preservation Ordinance, Historic Preservation Commission and Local Historic District as a means of protecting and promoting its historic significance.
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was established by the Town of Wake Forest on May 10, 1979 with the adoption of the first historic preservation ordinance as part of the zoning ordinance. The original commission was called the "Historic District Commission" but was later changed to the "Historic Preservation Commission." The HPC is a board of nine citizens with experience or demonstrated interest in history, architectural history, archaeology or closely related field appointed by the Board of Commissioners.
The Historic Preservation Commission reviews all proposed alterations, renovations, and new construction to Locally Designated Historic Landmarks or properties in the locally designated historic district. The purpose of this oversight is to ensure that the special character of the historic property and district are preserved by meeting the historic district and local landmark design standards and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. These reviews result in the issuance of a permit for the historic district and local landmark called a "Certificate of Appropriateness" which means that the proposed work is "appropriate" to the special character of the historic property or district.
The Historic Preservation Commission and Wake Forest Board of Commissioners adopted the Historic Preservation Plan Update to guide historic preservation practices in Wake Forest for the next ten years. The plan received a 2023 Marvin Collins Award for Specialized Plan from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Read the Historic Preservation Commission's monthly newsletter.
The Historic Preservation Commission currently meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm in the Board Chambers, 2nd floor of Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks Street. All meetings are open to the public.
The Historic Preservation Commission Handbook with Rules of Procedure provides information about the powers and duties of the HPC and how they conduct business. The full agenda packet for the most recent meeting is available here. The HPC's 2025 calendar with COA Application deadlines is here.
The December 17, 2025, regular meeting has been cancelled.
The Historic Preservation Commission's slogan is "Preserving the Past for the Future" and their vision statement is: "To safeguard the heritage of the Town, by preserving districts and landmarks that embody important elements of its culture, history, architectural history, or prehistory and to promote the use and conservation of such districts and landmarks for the education, pleasure, and enrichment of the residents of the Town, the County, and the State as a whole."
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) sponsors a variety of historic preservation-related activities. The HPC hosts public outreach and educational workshops. Topics of past workshops include using the historic tax credits, appropriate materials for historic rehabilitations, archaeology, and identifying and preserving historic cemeteries. Past projects that the HPC worked on are beautification of the median along North Main Street, historic district signage, pedestrian lighting along North Main Street, and walking tour brochures and apps for the Local Historic District, Downtown National Register Historic District, and Northeast Community.