The National Main Street Program was developed in the 1970's through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It was designed as a "grass roots" program focusing on commercial district revitalization in both urban and rural downtown districts. The program utilizes an innovative methodology of historic preservation combined with economic development. Today a network consisting of more than 1,200 active state, city and county Main Street Programs is working to restore prosperity and vitality to downtowns and neighborhood business districts across the nation. Those programs accomplish their work through the Main Street 4 Point approach of Design, Organization, Promotion and Economic Restructuring.

The Leavenworth Main Street Program is part of that nationwide network. Revitalization efforts in Downtown Leavenworth actually began in the mid 1980's when the Leavenworth Revitalization Committee was formed. The committee consisted of a variety of downtown merchants and business people, city officials, representatives from Fort Leavenworth and other interested individuals. In 1995, the committee realized they needed a more organized effort and better access to state and national funding and technical advice and design assistance.  Since joining the National Main Street Program the Leavenworth Main Street Program has had a tremendous impact upon the downtown area.  A few examples include:
- Development of a National Historic District comprising more than 65 buildings.
- Over $22 million reinvested in the downtown area through building rehabilitation, new construction, façade renovations and a variety of other improvement projects.
- Kansas State grant program Incentives Without Walls (IWW) awards of over $100,000 to downtown businesses for renovations and repairs.

The program is volunteer driven and depends upon the hard work and participation of a strong volunteer base. Leavenworth Main Street Program volunteers include downtown merchants and property owners, partnering organizations and groups, civic leaders, concerned citizens and a variety of other interested individuals.

For more information about member services and programs or to explore volunteer opportunities, please call the Main Street office at (913) 682-3924.