WORCESTER, Mass. - One of the people responsible for preserving Worcester’s history will be stepping down from her role this summer.

Deborah Packard is the executive director at Preservation Worcester.

She's spent more than 20 years with the organization and said their work preserving buildings helps with all the good things happening in the city.

Packard said historic preservation is an economic development generator.

She said the group's goal isn't to save buildings just as a relic, but to put life back into them.

Packard said one project stands out when looking back at all she's assisted with over the years.

"I think one of the highlights of my career has been the Stearns Tavern project, where we were able to take possession of a building that was going to be demolished, relocated in partnership with the City of Worcester, and then donated it to the city. We restored the property. It's beautiful if anybody wants to go there, they have access to it."

Preservation Worcester is forming a search committee to find its next executive director.

Packard said she hopes the work and momentum she has put in historic preservation over the last two decades will continue.