On April 30, 1979, the National Park Service officially placed the Annville Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Situated primarily on Queen and Main Streets, the Annville Historic District includes over 260 separate buildings. In the fall of 1979, Friends of Old Annville (FOOA) arose out of the group of local citizens that had worked together to inventory the historic buildings for the National Register. In 1981, FOOA officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.
The mission of the Friends of Old Annville emphasizes preservation and education. FOOA regularly hosts meetings and events that promote historical awareness. In June 1989, the group instituted Historic Old Annville Day, an annual daylong celebration of Annville's history. In conjunction with the Greater Annville Committee, FOOA works with local businesses to develop facades consistent with the historic streetscape. FOOA worked with others in the community to develop and promote a historic zoning ordinance that was adopted and instituted by the Annville Township Board of Commissioners in 1977. Instituted at the same time was an Annville Historic Area Review Board (HARB) to administer the ordinance.
In 1997, FOOA coordinated the events of a 250th anniversary celebration of the founding of Annville. Among the events were: the Great Quittapahilla Inner Tube Race, a play called "From the Porch", that was based on oral histories from Annville residents, and a time capsule of artifacts from local organizations. In 1989, FOOA became sponsor to the Quittie Creek Nature Park Project. The park, initiated through the efforts of local citizens, includes 23 acres of woodland along the Quittapahilla Creek for passive recreation and includes historic lime kilns and a mill site on the creek.
FOOA publishes a bimonthly newsletter, the LANDMARK, to promote its programs and to inform its members. The LANDMARK, distributed to over 450 members of FOOA, includes reports of local events, historic information, and issues related to building restoration. FOOA also undertakes the publication of books, such as the Pictorial History of Annville and a chronicle of the 250th Anniversary celebration.