Historic Savannah Foundation, a leading preservation organization committed to preserving and protecting Savannah's heritage, will host the third annual Savannah Preservation Festival on May 8-10, 2014. United Community Bank will serve as the title sponsor for the 2014 Savannah Preservation Festival.

With a “Raise the Roof” theme, this year’s festival will have a celebratory atmosphere and feature three days of education, outreach and inspiration. Savannah’s annual celebration of National Preservation Month will officially kick off on Thursday, May 8 with a free lecture by renowned preservation economics expert Donovan Rypkema, a panel discussion and a reception.

The festival will offer three different tours showcasing some of Savannah’s most impressive preservation achievements and will culminate with the Raise the Roof Party on Saturday, May 10. Savannah is set to host the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual conference in November 2014, making this year’s Savannah Preservation Festival particularly timely.

“During the 2014 Savannah Preservation Festival, we want to celebrate Savannah’s commitment to preservation and share our secrets with visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Daniel Carey, president and CEO of Historic Savannah Foundation. “We invite anyone with an interest in preservation to attend the festival and help us raise the roof.”

Here is a quick overview of the 2014 Savannah Preservation Festival schedule:

Donovan D. Rypkema Lecture, Preservation Panel Discussion and Reception

Thursday, May 8, 6 p.m.

Arnold Hall, 1810 Bull St.

Free

Donovan D. Rypkema, principal of the Washington, D.C.-based real estate and economic development consulting firm PlaceEconomics, will discuss the economic impact of historic preservation in Savannah. Rypkema has been honored with the National Trust’s Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award, the organization’s highest honor, for his contributions to historic preservation and economics. A panel discussion of preservation issues and a reception will follow the lecture.

SCAD Adaptive Reuse Tour

Friday, May 9, 10 a.m. – noon

Departing from the Clarence Thomas Center, 439 E. Broad St.

$35 per person

Since its founding in 1978, the Savannah College of Art and Design has given new life to many of Savannah’s most significant landmarks. Today, former educational, industrial, commercial and religious buildings serve as vibrant classrooms, studios, galleries, and lecture halls. Tour some of SCAD’s signature buildings, located throughout downtown Savannah.

Preservation Wine Tour

Friday, May 9, 6 – 9 p.m.

Locations throughout Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District

$75 per person

Tour five of Savannah’s finest private homes, including HSF Preservation Award-winning properties, and hear the preservation stories behind these architectural jewels. Sample fine wines paired with gourmet appetizers during this informative walking tour and enjoy a wrap party with live music, wine and nibbles at the historic Bouhan Falligant building adjacent to Forsyth Park.

HSF Revolving Fund Presentation and Trolley Tour

Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. - noon

Kennedy Pharmacy, 323 E. Broughton St.

$35 per person

See preservation in action in one of America’s most beautiful cities! This exclusive tour provides a narrated overview of some of Savannah’s most impressive preservation success stories, including new projects like the P.J. O’Connor House and the Major John Berrien House. All of the properties on the tour have been part of HSF’s Revolving Fund, which has helped save nearly 360 architecturally-significant structures throughout the city.

Raise the Roof Party

Saturday, May 10, 7-10 p.m.

Ships of the Sea Museum, 41 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

$75 per person

Celebrate Savannah’s remarkable legacy of preservation at the Raise the Roof Party. Sample cuisine by some of the city’s finest chefs and enjoy live music by vocalist Trae Gurley and The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra. Toast the power of preservation at this high-energy soiree, which celebrates the spirit of community.

Savannah Preservation Festival ticket packages are available at www.myHSF.org. An All-Access Pass, which includes admission to all events as well as a discounted HSF Preserver Membership, is $250. A 20% student discount is available on all ticket prices.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or 912.233.7787.