PRESERVATION NEWSAPT Members Participate in the 2008 Traditional Building Historic Preservation Field SchoolAlmost three years have passed since devastating floods ravaged much of New Orleans, one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in the United States. Despite the continuing delays and setbacks there are signs of hope. Over the past three years, numerous heritage organizations including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans have been working to assist the Holy Cross community with recovery efforts relating to the preservation of the historic architectural character of the Lower 9th Ward.
This summer, The University of Florida College of Design Construction and Planning's Historic Preservation Program, along with its partnering organizations The World Monuments Fund, The Preservation Trades Network, The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans and the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association, have collectively supported efforts to preserve and sustain the threatened architectural heritage of the Holy Cross neighborhood by holding this year's Traditional Building Historic Preservation Field School in the Lower 9th Ward. Numerous APT members have supported the field
school by offering their expertise to the next generation of preservationists.
APT President Brian Scott Robinson serves as director of the field
program. APT Board members Carl Elefante and Michael Schuller presented
the students with information relating to sustainable preservation
and non destructive masonry evaluation. In addition, Preservation
Trades Network Executive Director Rudy Christian played an important
role in summer program planning and delivery.
The 2008 Traditional Building Historic Preservation Field School is a hands on educational program built around a pilot project developed by The Preservation Trades Network (PTN), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating traditional building trade skills. Now in its third year, the Traditional Building Historic Preservation Field School will bring together participants from the traditional building trades and university academic programs to collaborate in an effort to identify and promote sustainable building practices that can be used to restore and maintain damaged historic properties in Holy Cross. For more information on the 2008 Traditional
Building Historic Preservation Field Program or future programs
please contact Brian Robinson at briansrobinson@ufl.edu.
Frank Lloyd Wright Restorations
Recently, Harding Partners architects teamed
up with Thornton Tomasetti engineers for the restorations of two
historic Frank Lloyd Wright residences built 50 years apart. The
first was Davenport House, built in 1901, considered one of Chicago's
first example of Prairie style architecture, which was restored
to its original condition; the other was Glore House, built in 1951
and notable for Frank Lloyd Wright's application of Usonian principles
on a larger, more elaborate two-story residence. That project involved
the addition of an additional floor and just recently received the
AIA Northeast Chapter "Merit in Architecture Award." (http://www.aianei.org/honor_awards/2007/GloreHouse.html)
What is interesting about these two projects, fifty years apart,
is how they show the progression of the architect's work as it relates
to building engineering, reflected in the extent of the renovations
necessary to preserve both structures.
Save Bell
Labs Design Event Yields Good News
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The internationally
significant Bell Labs building (1962), designed by Eero Saarinen,
with its landscape designed by Hideo Sasaki, has recently
been determined eligible for listing in the National Register
of Historic Places.
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Excellence in Preservation Award Winners Announced
The Preservation League of New York State will present a special citation honoring Preserving New York: Winning the Right to Protect a City's Landmarks (Routledge 2007) by Anthony C. Wood at its Excellence in Historic Preservation Award ceremony. The League's statewide awards program recognizes individuals and organizations for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the preservation of New York State's irreplaceable architectural heritage.
"This publication makes an important contribution to our understanding of preservation history in New York City in general by focusing on one compelling story - the establishment of the local landmark law," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "It is easy to imagine this book becoming required reading for preservation degree programs across the country. Despite presenting a chronicle of losses, Preserving New York makes the reader proud of the city's achievements and hopeful for preservation's future."
This publication tells the previously untold story of the people and places, the buildings and battles, and the politics and policies that led to New York City's landmarks law, passed in 1965. Preserving New York represents the culmination of a two-year project of the New York Preservation Archive Project, a non-profit organization with a unique focus: preserving, documenting and celebrating the history of the historic preservation movement.
For more information: www.preservenys.org
or www.nypap.org
Or contact:
Vanessa Norton, Administrator
New York Preservation Archive Project
212-861-4993 x 246
vnorton@nypap.org
New York Preservation Archive Project Amendment Advocates Honored at Anniversary Celebration of the 1973 NYC Landmarks Law Amendments
New York, NY -- A celebration honoring advocates of the 1973 Amendments to New York City's Landmarks Law was the spotlight discussion at its 35th Anniversary; the event titled "Making the Best Better," was held on June 10, 2008 by the New York Preservation Archive Project.
The 1973 amendments to New York City's Landmarks Law dramatically transformed the strongest landmarks legislation in the nation by broadening its powers and improving its operations. The amendments established interior landmarks, scenic landmarks, and continuous hearings and designations, ending the mandated moratorium limiting designation determinations to a 6 month period every three years. These amendments fundamentally transformed and strengthened the ability of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to protect New York City's valuable historic resources.
The panel discussion was followed by a cocktail party celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Amendments and honoring those who played a role in their passage: Honored guests include Kent Barwick, Bronson Binger, Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Jeffery Friedlander, Margot Gayle, Frank Gilbert, Roberta Brandes Gratz, Carol Greitzer, Michael S. Gruen, Norman Redlich, Frederick William Richmond, Edward Sadowsky, and Hon. Barry Salman. A short program paying tribute the honorees and the amendments was presented by Lisa Ackerman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of World Monuments Fund, and Council Member Jessica Lappin.
Proceeds from the reception benefit the New
York Preservation Archive Project's programs and mission-to document,
preserve, and celebrate the historic preservation movement's history-including
such seminal events as the successful 1973 Amendments to the law.
National Trust for Historic Preservation and HGTV host the Sixth Annual Restore America Gala at the Library of Congress
Washington, D.C. - Six champions of historic preservation whose leadership has helped restore and revitalize their respective communities were honored at the Sixth Annual National Trust/HGTV Restore America Gala, an elegant evening hosted by HGTV's Carter Oosterhouse.
The honorees include:
- Brown-Forman Corporation of Louisville, Kentucky
- Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus
- Ms. Valerie Cunningham, Founder and president of Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, Inc.
- Mr. Richard Driehaus, CEO of Driehaus Capital Management and founder of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation in Chicago
- Secretary of State's Register of Culturally Significant Property
- Mr. Wade F.B. Thompson, Chairman, President and CEO of Thor Industries, Inc. and founder of the Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy in New York City
The Restore America Hero award honors those whose energy, vision and leadership have had a significant impact on the preservation of our historic and cultural legacy-the buildings, collections, documents and works of art that tell America's story.
"For the past five years, the National Trust has proudly joined with HGTV to salute the Restore
America Heroes who are making significant contributions to the preservation of America's communities through their unyielding commitment, vision, and leadership," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "This year's award winners represent the diverse range of important preservation work being done across the country, and by the
Department of State - worldwide, to key U.S. owned buildings. The National Trust is pleased to honor them."
Change the World. Start at Home initiative,
please visit: http://www.hgtv.com/changetheworld
or www.PreservationNation.org.
Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation Awarded $1 Million from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) was recently awarded an endowment grant of $1 million from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support workshops in photograph conservation modeled on the successful Collaborative Workshops in Photograph Conservation, developed at the University of Delaware. The new endowment earnings will be restricted to support photograph workshops for a period of at least ten years, during which FAIC will devote an additional $575,000 in resources to the project. At the end of ten years, and periodically thereafter, the program will be assessed, in conjunction with The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. If there is a consensus that the program could benefit from addressing a wider range of subjects, funds could also be used to support mid-career workshops in other conservation specialties.
Beginning in 2010, three programs will be presented every two years. Each year, a hands-on workshop, typically five days in length will be offered. A third program, typically three days in length and offered every two years, will be designed to reach a larger and broader audience. These workshops will be incorporated into FAIC's active professional development program and will supplement current programming.
About FAIC
FAIC, the foundation of the American Institute for Conservation
of Historic & Artistic Works, supports conservation education,
research, and outreach activities that increase understanding of
our global cultural heritage.
About The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation makes grants in six core program
areas, including Museum and Art Conservation. Its grant-making philosophy
is to build, strengthen, and sustain institutions and their core
capacities.
How to Save Water-Damaged Art and Artifacts
Many water-damaged treasures can be saved! Heritage Preservation has released a free, online video guide demonstrating how to rescue soaked photographs, books, documents, and other valued items. This 10-minute streaming video provides professional advice that benefits families as well as museum and library staff. View the video at www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/WaterSegmentFG.HTM.
Excerpted from the award-winning Field Guide to Emergency Response, the video combines hands-on demonstrations of salvage techniques with straightforward advice from leading preservation experts. Practical information on safety, simple equipment, and salvage priorities help the viewer get started on the rescue of damaged items. Additional tips for saving family treasures are listed www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/SaveTreasuresRightWay.htm.
The Field Guide handbook and companion DVD
were produced by Heritage Preservation in 2006 with support from
the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Now the Institute
of Museum and Library Services has teamed with NEH and Heritage
Preservation to make this segment of the DVD easily accessible.
Heritage Preservation and the Heritage Emergency National Task Force
have other helpful resources for the cultural heritage community,
general public, and media at www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TFcurrent.html.
Contacts:
Jane Long, 202-233-0800, jlong@heritagepreservation.org
Mary Rogers, 202-233-0800, mrogers@heritagepreservation.org
National Preservation Award presented to Arizona State Museum and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
The Arizona State Museum and the Massachusetts
Board of Library Commissioners have been selected to receive the
2008 Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care
of Collections. This annual award is selected by a panel of distinguished
conservation experts from across the nation and is presented jointly
by Heritage Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation
of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).
The Arizona State Museum (ASM) is the
oldest and largest anthropology museum in the Southwest. The museum's
Preservation Division is responsible for the care and preservation
of a world-renowned collection of artifacts from indigenous peoples
of the American Southwest and northern Mexico.
One of ASM's largest preservation projects
to date is the Southwest Pottery Project, an initiative
to protect the museum's collection of ceramic vessels. Designated
an official Save America's Treasurers Collection in 2000, the Project
received donations from many diverse sources, such as local philanthropists,
tribal communities, local businesses, charitable trusts and foundations,
federal agencies, and private donors. Community volunteers also
supported the project and contributed over 22,000 hours.
"The work of the Arizona State Museum to connect its community to preservation is a model for all museums across the country," said Eryl Wentworth, Executive Director of AIC. "Not only did the project raise awareness for the collection's preservation, but incorporating local volunteers demonstrated the community's support, which, in turn, attracted donors."
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
(MBLC) is a state government agency with responsibility for library
services throughout the state. For the last 20 years, the MBLC's
commitment to preservation has helped library and archival collections
all across Massachusetts.
MBLC began a statewide preservation program
in 1988 which included a series of preservation workshops on topics
such as care and handling of library archival materials, disaster
preparedness and recovery, basic repair of library and archival
materials, and collections security.
In 1998, the MBLC initiated the Emergency
Assistance Program to assist organizations in disasters. Components
of the program include training workshops, disaster supply caches
at sixteen locations across the state, technical assistance through
MBLC or the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC), and
a "weather alert" email system.
MBLC also worked closely with the NEDCC to
develop dPlan, an online disaster-planning tool, in 2001.
This free resource is available for any library, archive, or museum
and provides a template for organizations to create a disaster plan.
The American Institute for Conservation
of Historic and Artistic Works is the national membership organization
of professional conservators dedicated to preserving the art and
historic artifacts of our cultural heritage for future generations.
Heritage Preservation is a nonprofit organization dedicated
to preserving our nation's heritage. Its members include museums,
libraries, archives, and other organizations concerned with saving
the past for the future.
Nominations are invited for the 2009 Award
for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections.
The deadline is December 15, 2008. For additional information, see
http://www.heritagepreservation.org/awards/aic.htm.
Fort Ticonderoga Dedicates the Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center
Ticonderoga, NY -- Fort Ticonderoga Association dedicated the new Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center on the parade ground of this National Historic Landmark. The Center was designed by Tonetti Associates Architects
"The original building was blown up by retreating French troops in 1759," says Andrew B. Wright AIA LEED AP, Tonetti Associate Architects' Partner-in-Charge on the project, "so, for the first time in almost two hundred and fifty years, the core structures of the Fort will be complete. Timed with the Fort's 100th season as an historic open-air museum, this is a very special event." The new Center will allow the museum to remain open year-round for the first time in its history.
Not only is the building an accurate reflection of its predecessor, but - in keeping with the Fort's longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship - it's a forward-thinking "green" building. Early in the design process, Fort Ticonderoga Director Nicholas Westbrook made a commitment to reduce the building's impact on the environment as much as possible. Despite the strictures of fitting a "green" building into an 18th-century envelope, the Mars Education Center is slated to receive a LEED Silver rating.
The LEED rating was achieved through both careful building practices and selection of materials. Stone for the exterior was quarried locally; the quarried stone, unsuitable for use in the building, was recycled into a sedimentation pond at nearby Haque Brook to reduce run off into Lake George. The feature with the largest reduction in energy use, however, is the geothermal heating and cooling system that serves the entire building, using heat pumps from three deep wells to take advantage of the earth's natural energy.
Tonetti Associates Architects is an architectural
firm located in New York City that provides award-winning design
solutions for museums, educational institutions, and not-for-profit
organizations.
The Fox Theatre Announces New Program, The Fox Theatre Institute Organization will Assist with Restoration of Theatres and Revitalization of Arts Communities throughout Georgia
Atlanta, GA -- Atlanta's most dramatic cultural
landmark, The Fabulous Fox Theatre, is introducing a new organization,
The Fox Theatre Institute, which will provide guidance to other
Georgia theatres on how to successfully preserve their theaters
and assert their cultural significance in becoming economic drivers
in their communities.
The Fox Theatre Institute officially launched on July 18 in Atlanta
at the League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT) conference, "Thinking
Outside the Fox", which will celebrate the saving of The Fox
Theatre and many other theatres across the state of Georgia and
the United States.
Currently, there are an estimated 260 historic
theaters in Georgia. For the past year, The Fox Theatre Institute
has been working closely with 15 of the remaining 260 historic theatres
in cities around Georgia including; Brunswick, Canton, Rome, Dahlonega,
Fitzgerald, Athens, Marietta, Americus, Calhoun, Thomaston, Augusta,
Macon and Statesboro. The Institute will create individualized plans
for progress that will directly assist the theatres with their needs
including: programming, preservation, community building, operations,
and economic development. After the completion of the pilot program,
The Institute will expand their services to other theatres that
are seeking guidance.
"The Fox Theatre's story of survival and success is the catalyst
for this movement", says Adina Alford, Assistant General Manager
of The Fox Theatre. "We want to share the knowledge that successful
restorations of historic theatres have the potential to inspire
communities and positively affect their cultural landscape. It's
our goal to support communities in cities throughout Georgia and
the southeast through the efforts of The Fox Theatre Institute."
For more information on The Fox Theatre, visit www.foxtheatre.org
SGH Projects are recognized by leading Architecture, Engineering and Construction Organizations
Waltham, MA- Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.'s (SGH) structural and building enclosure work received numerous accolades from industry associations throughout the past year and into 2008. AIA Committee on the Environment Names Projects to Top Ten Green Projects List for Second Consecutive Year.
As part of its corporate mission, SGH seeks to work with leading architectural, engineering, and construction firms and other clients to ensure its staff has the opportunity to contribute to ground-breaking design, investigation, and rehabilitation projects. These awards are a testament to the firm's efforts and services. Though its design work, for example, SGH contributed to two projects that were named to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on the Environment's (COTE) Top Ten Green Projects award list: Sidwell Friends Middle School, Washington DC and Macallen Building Condominiums, Boston, MA.
"Throughout our professional practice, we apply fact-based engineering and scientific methods to sustainable projects that emphasize the value of durability, performance, and energy efficiency," said Glenn R. Bell, CEO of SGH. "Macallen and Sidwell are powerful examples of how architecture and engineering principles work together to create innovative and, more importantly, resource-efficient buildings. We commend each of the project teams for their efforts.
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH) is a national engineering firm that designs, investigates, and rehabilitates structures and building enclosures. Our award-winning work encompasses building, transportation, water and wastewater, and science and defense projects throughout the United States and in more than 20 countries.
SGH has offices in Boston, Los Angeles, New
York City, San Francisco, and Washington DC.
For more information, please visit www.sgh.com.
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