Historic preservation has significant impact on communities. The purpose of this study was to involve students in a historically based, culturally diverse community project in a rural region of Arkansas in order to make a positive impact in that region. Interior Design Program students (n = 6) within the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Central Arkansas adopted the boyhood home of Levon Helm in Marvell, Arkansas, as their capstone project. This site was chosen based on the criteria of the study and was need-based for the Marvell, AR, community. The capstone project charged students to develop a strategic plan using design skills from Family and Consumer Sciences Guidelines in the Housing and Interior Design Area of Study to improve tourism, economy, and civic pride of the rural Arkansas community. The project results: the structure was named to the Arkansas Register of Historic Places, funds were raised for restoration of the property, nationwide publicity was received, and a positive economic impact was realized.