Have you heard about Minnesota’s weatherization program for low-income residents, which got a huge boost in funding from the federal stimulus bill? (If not, read about it on Congressman Jim Oberstar’s Facebook blog or check out the nifty graphs on the Department of Energy’s web page.)

Preservation advocates, including the staff of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, at first were concerned that this money would go towards window replacement, artificial siding, and other so-called “improvements” that could seriously affect historic fabric. (Historic windows are a particular item of concern for the Preservation Alliance.) But, as it turns out, the state administrators of this program are on our same page. One state staffer recently stated to a member of the SHPO staff that the program was “not interested in window replacement, because that’s not where heat loss comes from.” How is that for validation?

You might not be imagining things if your home feels drafty, though. Oodles of weatherization resources are available on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s website, including featured downloads on topics such as Energy Efficient Strategies for Cold Climates. If that is not enough, the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s State Energy Office has published a Minnesota Weatherization Field Guide with lots of technical data (it is intended for pros) and some good illustrations. There’s even a picture that explains how to close off the air leaks within the walls of an old, balloon-framed house. (Balloon framing was the most common type of house construction through the early 1900s.)

We’d like to know how concerned you are about weatherization and energy efficiency of your historic or older building, so drop us a line at PAMfieldnotes@gmail.com

Stay warm and healthy!

The Gunflint Trail has been designated a National Scenic Byway, according to an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The National Scenic Byways Program is an often under-recognized partner in historic preservation, but the program—and its national resource office located in, of all places, Duluth—presents a number of educational, promotional, and financial tools.

I didn’t see much historical value in roadways until a year or so into graduate school, when I learned about the Historic Columbia River Highway, its multi-faceted restoration project (everything from buildings to bollards), and some of the problematic but intriguing issues involved in restoring and interpreting an early 20th-century roadway for modern use. Read more here.

Now is the perfect time to take a scenic autumn drive along one of Minnesota’s designated scenic byways. Just be sure to notice the historic resources along with the colorful leaves—and keep your eyes on the road!

Hello from Nashville, Tennessee, and this year’s National Preservation Conference.  I’m borrowing Erin’s blog to let our members and friends know that we’re bringing back some great best practices to apply in Minnesota.  From programs and events to leadership and governance, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual conference is the place to share successes and learn from our peers what can improve historic preservation in Minnesota.

Minnesota has a strong presence at this year’s conference with attendance by our two Trust Advisors (Carolyn Sundquist of Duluth and Will Stark of Minneapolis), an Emeritus Advisor (Roger Brooks of St. Paul), a current (Amy Mino) and former (Gary Stenson) Alliance board member, and a board member of our Local Partner, Historic Saint Paul (Marek Mino).  We’re trying to get together tonight to compare notes on the Conference so far.

Minnesota was given high marks at our meetings for Tuesday’s USA Today article listing Minneapolis as the top most philanthropic city in the nation.  Of course!  The Alliance is just one of many nonprofit organizations benefitting from your generous support.  Thanks to all of our donors for making our work possible.

Erin and I will be back in the office on Monday with new ideas and rejuvinated energy to move ahead.  The best ideas so far?  My votes go to: “The Anti-Wrecking Ball,” an event in St. Louis, MO, that featured a battle of the bands raising funds to protect their local historic landmarks preservation ordinance; Landmarks Illinois’ Pub Crawl, engaging young preservationists; Historic Seattle’s Young Preservationists’ group organizing a “Speed Mentoring” event; Michigan Historic Preservation Network’s windows rehabilitation workshop for unemployed contractors; and a tie for Preservation Pennsylvania’s and Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance’s state tax credit efforts, which brought together broad coalitions to support the advocacy effort.

Thanks to the National Trust for Historic Preservation staff and Tennessee’s preservation organizations for hosting a great conference.

Bonnie McDonald

Executive Director