Runyon Heritage Associates

Collaborative ~ Creative ~ Effective

Runyon Heritage is dedicated to progressive historic preservation and nonprofit practices.

Led by Brent Runyon, a historic preservation professional with more than 18 years of innovative nonprofit leadership experience, we specialize in historic preservation and nonprofit consulting. At RH, we connect property owners, architects, developers and organizations with the resources they need to accomplish their goals.

We take pride in our ability to work in a collaborative spirit with our clients, tailoring our services to fit their specific needs and goals. We understand that each project is unique, and we approach each one with sensitivity and creativity.

At our core, we are passionate about preserving the rich history of our communities. We believe that historic places play an important role in our shared heritage and can contribute to the vitality and character of our neighborhoods.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your historic preservation project.

Our Services

Facilitation
Strategic Planning
Project management
Grant management
Project planning
Capital campaign advising
Historic Research and Documentation
National Register Nominations and Determinations of Eligibility
Federal and State Historic Tax Credits
106 Assessments
Community Outreach and Education
Architectural Surveys
Liaison with State and Local Preservation and Planning Offices
Window Surveys
Project Advisement
Brent is a licensed real estate sales agent (Residential Properties Ltd.) in Rhode Island, specializing in older houses with character. He purchased his first house, a 1926 Craftsman bungalow in the Eau Claire section of Columbia, SC, when he was working as an electrical engineer. While there, he became an advocate for preserving his neighborhood and decided to practice historic preservation professionally. After studying at the University of Georgia, he managed a real estate portfolio for Thomasville Landmarks, focusing on adding enough value to make homes marketable while retaining their charm. He has taught classes on architectural styles through the RI Association of Realtors and completed research for dozens of historic tax credit and house marker reports. He has a multifaceted understanding of older homes, including research, regulations, rehabilitation and restoration, and generally how they can work for your lifestyle.
Interim Executive Director
Heritage travel planning and guiding

About Brent

Brent Runyon was the executive director of the Providence Preservation Society from 2013 to 2023. While at PPS, he led the organization through a period of remarkable growth and stability, completing two strategic plans and a comprehensive capital campaign that raised nearly $1.5 million. He was responsible for creating the organization’s Building Works program, securing more than $300,000 from grants and contributions. In 2021, he received his real estate sales license in Rhode Island and has taught classes on architectural styles through the RI Association of Realtors. He is a sales associate with Residential Properties, Ltd. in the Broadway office. In 2024, he was appointed to the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission.

Previously, he served as executive director for Thomasville Landmarks (in Georgia). During that time, he successfully led the placement of two historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places: an African American neighborhood and a twentieth century neighborhood. He worked with two neighborhood nonprofits and the county government to secure a Transportation Enhancement Grant from the GA DOT for improvements to a rural community’s main street. He served on the Georgia National Register Review Board and expanded Landmarks’ revolving fund assets.