NORTHWOOD, Iowa - Recently, groups across the state have been coming together to preserve historic landmarks and treasures. Now, you can add historic hotels and lodging sites to that as well.

Tyler Byington is a member of the group 'Waking Miss Winifred', which is reviving the Winifred Hotel in Northwood, and on Monday, they put on a historic preservation workshop at the Beehive Ballroom in Northwood. The group partnered with the Belle Plaine, Iowa-based Herring Hotel Building Alliance to gather historic lodging staff across Iowa for professional development and networking.

Byington says preserving buildings plays an important role in helping people remember the history of this relatively young state.

"Our state is very young, as far as the United States goes, and I think it's very important to understand that even if it's 100 years old, 200 years old, it's still part of our heritage and history."

He adds that being part of restoring something historic adds character to a community.

"I know from travelling across the country, that you can find a nice historical hotel to stay in. It kinda changes your opinion of the area, so it's nice to be a part of a project to create one in small town North Iowa, Northwood, and the greater area."

Guest speakers at the event included retired Editor-in-Chief of Midwest Living Magazine Dan Kaercher, and Digital Marketing Manager for Iowa Tourism Amy Ziegler.