The Michigan Historic Preservation Network is the largest membership organization in the state dedicated to recognizing and preserving Michigan's rich cultural and architectural heritage. The Network was founded in 1979. The founders saw a need for a nonprofit organization that fostered the protection of the state's irreplaceable historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, features and open spaces. They saw the benefits of informing others that these were community assets appropriate for continued use or creative adaptive reuse. They wanted to give recognition to successful preservation projects and coordinate and publicize efforts across the state. Most of all, they wanted to share their experience and expertise with others.