LEWISTON – Old buildings and new construction will be central at a celebration of National Preservation Month scheduled for Thursday.

City officials and members of the Lewiston Historic Preservation Board will draw attention to historic areas of the city at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Franco-American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar St.

The renovated heritage center, the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church in the center of Lewiston’s Little Canada, will be the first structure recognized as part of the celebration of civic historic preservation efforts.

Members will recognize a second renovated historic building, the Dominican Block, at 146 Lincoln St. They’ll also focus on a new building, the Bates Street Senior Housing Project at 250 Bates St., and an entire district around Main and Frye streets. The Department of Interior approved a National Register of Historic Places designation for that area. It contains all of Frye Street and neighboring properties along Main and College streets.

The theme of the event is “This Place Matters.” Lewiston’s board will be joining thousands of individuals across the country who are celebrating May as National Preservation Month, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. That’s a nonprofit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them.

The public is invited to the event.