The Office of Urban Conservation was created in 1975 as part of the Department of Community Development (DCD). It was founded in an era of citizen protests against a proposed urban renewal program that would have demolished Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. The office’s mandate was to coordinate Seattle’s historic preservation programs and administer the city’s landmark boards and historic districts. When DCD was abolished in 1992, the historic preservation program was moved to the Department of Neighborhoods.

The Landmarks Preservation Board was established in 1973 with the mission of preserving structures of historical importance. Its eleven members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. The Board must include two architects, two historians, one member of the City Planning Commission, one structural engineer, and one person each representing the fields of finance and real estate management. The other three members have no required occupation or affiliation, although all Board appointees are expected to have an interest in historic preservation.

Series contains minutes and agendas documenting meetings of the Landmarks Preservation Board. The minutes report on issues discussed, tasks assigned, and actions taken, and include lists of board members and Office of Urban Conservation staff present. Board business primarily concerned consideration of applications for approval of architectural modifications to city landmarks, as well as landmark nominations and designations. Paper records go through 2002, with a gap from 2003 through 2006. 2007 through 2024 are digital only and can be viewed in Digital Collections.