Richard Moe, the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, announced his retirement in November. This recent article in Architect magazine is not only a great retrospective of Moe’s career and the changes he brought about at the National Trust, but also a great primer on the many and varied tenets of historic preservation. A great read—and positive reinforcement for those of us in the trenches. Enjoy!
An unsuspecting young salesman from The Window Store just had the misfortune of ringing my doorbell. My “Not interested,” which I delivered as soon as he introduced himself, was not enough to deter him. So, instead of getting a quick and easy brush-off, he got a30-second diatribe as to why I am adamantly opposed to what he does—market replacement windows so aggressively that salesmen go door-to-door in the dead of winter. I threw a few window rehab facts at him—that there’s no good reason to replace historic wood windows, that replacement contributes to the landfill and wastes resources through intensive manufacturing processes—and his eyes grew wider with every word. Hoping that he is young and impressionable—and maybe even a little uniformed, himself—I referred him to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has pages of information about window rehabilitation as an alternative to replacement. (I was a little reluctant to divulge my association with the Preservation Alliance, lest he come back later and egg my house, or something. Admittedly, I could have been nicer to him, but he rang when I was in the middle of cleaning the litter box and my kids were upstairs alone, so I had to rush up from the basement. Why can’t the door-to-door sales types understand that there is almost never a good time to interrupt somebody at home?)
Do you have facts at the ready to deliver a 30-second defense for historic windows, for those times when the window salespeople come knocking at your door? If you need some refreshing, read my earlier Window Talk post in the Field Notes blog, peruse the resources listed with the 10 Most Endangered listing of Historic Wood Windows, read the March/April 2008 issue of the Minnesota Preservationist, or go in-depth at PreservationNation.org
I know I’d catch more bees with honey, and all, but I was a little unprepared myself. This visit served as a bit of a wake-up call—and definitely an opportunity. Maybe if all of us could be a little more prepared, we’d make inroads with the salespeople themselves—who would see the light and turn to window restoration instead. Zach-the-salesguy, if you’re reading this, I hope you’ve learned something. (And I’ll try to be nicer the next time you ring my doorbell—I promise.)
The other day, I was having idle conversation with a friend about White Castle, and she said something about the “White Castle accordion shop.” What?!? (I wonder if those four words had ever before been strung together in the English language.) I was familiar with the White Castle on Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis that had been turned into a jewelry store—apparently lots of people took pride in saying that they bought their wedding rings at White Castle—but was confused by the reference to an accordion. Turns out the jewelry store has closed, and the accordion shop has moved in. What a great new business for something as off-beat as an original White Castle!
The first—and only—time I’ve ever eaten a White Castle was last spring, when the Ramsey County Historical Society hosted a lecture by a long-time White Castle employee who is the corporation’s Twin Cities historian. He pointed out the ever-evolving designs of White Castle restaurants, which raises some interesting issues for historic preservation. Given that fast-food restaurants are such a significant part of our modern culture, it seems that the most historically intact of them should be identified and preserved. But most fast-food corporations have a policy of planned replacement. Relatively few of them retain the original characteristics that would allow them to be considered historically significant.
The Wisconsin Historical Society has done some research on this topic, and the LA Conservancy’s successful campaign to save the world’s oldest remaining McDonalds is well known, at least in preservation circles. Here in the Twin Cities, I know of an old Dairy Queen in Roseville, and am starting to think that the Taco Bell on Snelling Ave. N. in the Midway area of St. Paul might be considered vintage. (Back in the ’70s, it was a Zantigos.)
As for me, I get a little teary-eyed thinking about the McDonald playland of my youth, located on Robert Street in West St. Paul. I recently drove my kids by it to make sure it is still there—it is, but a sign says it is closed and obviously inaccessible. My fellow neighbor kids and I loved our occasional excursions to this McDonalds across town, because the playground was elevated on a bluff above the restaurant. To get there, we had to walk up a steep path, or take a little train. I’m sure the moms loved it because we were worn out before we even started playing. The playground itself had all the usual equipment—the Grimace cage, a fiberglass tree filled with Fry Guys, and a fairly ominous Hamburglar slide looming over the entire park. On my recent drive-by, I think I caught a glimpse of Grimace through the snow, but can’t be sure. I’ll have to case it out again, come spring.
(This post is proof positive that even professional preservationists aren’t immune to nostalgia.)
As always, I’m open to your comments—and examples of fast food places worth preserving. Contact me at PAMfieldnotes@gmail.com
One of Minnesota’s most beloved parks and a dynamic symbol of the state, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden needs your help. After 22 years and more than 7.2 million visitors, the Sculpture Garden’s infrastructure has deteriorated and some of its plant life is at the end of its natural life cycle.
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, with the full support of the Walker Art Center, is pursuing state bonding to repair and renovate this unique state asset. Preservation efforts will help improve the Sculpture Garden’s long-term energy conservation, safety and accessibility.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Click on the link below to get involved.
Your legislators and Governor Pawlenty need to hear that you support the legislative bonding request to preserve the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, one of Minnesota’s most beloved parks. Just three minutes of your time will make all the difference!
See what’s new on the Minnesota Preservationist Archives page!
The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota now has its entire archive of the The Minnesota Preservationist online! Since 1985, The Minnesota Preservationist has grown and changed over three incremental editions; increased depth and breadth of topics, improved quality of graphics and layout, and heightened communication of preservation initiatives and activities to the community makes it an invaluable tool for preservation in Minnesota. The archives can also now be searched via the Minnesota Preservationist Index. The index can be searched by topic to find relevant articles and support for your next project. Click the link below to get started!
http://www.mnpreservation.org/resources/minnesota-preservationist-archives/
Special thanks go to Martina Foss, an intern at the Preservation Alliance, for her work in categorizing, indexing, scanning and uploading the archive.
Each year the National Trust for Historic Preservation celebrates the best of preservation by presenting National Preservation Awards to individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence in historic preservation.
We invite you to nominate a deserving individual, organization, agency, or project for a National Preservation Award. The postmark deadline for all award nominations, including the Trustees’ Awards, National Trust/Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Award, National Trust/HUD Secretary’s Award, the Peter H. Brink Award for Individual Achievement, and National Preservation Honor Awards, is March 1, 2010. Those nominations not selected to receive a Trustees’, ACHP, HUD, or Peter H. Brink Award will automatically be considered for an Honor Award.
Go to http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/awards to download the 2010 Nomination brochure and view video highlights of last year’s award winners. The nomination form can be completed electronically, but must be submitted by mail.
If you have questions or need additional information about the awards or the nomination process, please call 202.588.6315 or e-mail awards@nthp.org. We look forward to receiving your nomination. Spread the word!
Preservation Leadership Training (PLT) is an intensive one-week experience tailored to respond to the needs of state and local preservation organizations and agencies. It emphasizes providing a participatory experience in leadership and organizational development techniques and the most up-to-date and effective information and training in current preservation practices, issues and action strategies.
Preservation Leadership Training/Advanced was developed to respond to the expressed interests of hundreds of graduates of the National Trust’s Preservation Leadership Training. It provides high-level, in-depth training to community preservationists with an emphasis on peer interaction and practical application. All participants must attend the full program.
Who should attend?
* PLT is aimed at staff and volunteer leaders of private, nonprofit preservation organizations, staff of state and local government agencies, members or staff of commissions, and others who are in a position to influence preservation activities in their communities. The faculty is drawn from national, state, and local experts in preservation and organizational development, giving participants a balanced national perspective and a network of regional and local resources for the future. Faculty members are available following their presentations to meet informally with participants and discuss individual concerns.
* Attendance at PLT/A is offered only to those individuals who have completed the seven-day Preservation Leadership Training. Those with significant experience in the field will also be considered. No more than 42 participants will be accepted to participate. All participants must attend the full program.
How Much?
The tuition for the program is $750, which includes a one-year membership in National Trust Forum. Applicants who individually or through their sponsoring organization are members of National Trust Forum are eligible for a discounted tuition of $500. An additional meal assessment fee is charged for group catering.
Participants are responsible for lodging costs, most meals and transportation to and from the PLT site. Participants are required to stay at the designated group hotel, as the PLT schedule is quite intensive and many sessions extend into the evening hours. The National Trust will make all arrangements with the designated hotel; please do not attempt to make reservations directly. Details are provided to accepted participants.
Scholarships?
A limited number of scholarships are available to participants and will be applied to meal fees only. Applicants must demonstrate why the assistance is needed, why the National Trust is the only source of assistance available to them and how their participation will benefit historic preservation efforts in their community. Please include this explanation in your cover letter.
Participants who are not eligible for cultural diversity scholarships may qualify for support from the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Scholarships will be applied to housing and/or meal fees. Applicants must demonstrate why the assistance is needed, why the National Trust is the only source of assistance available to them, and how their participation will contribute to historic preservation efforts in their community. Donate now to the PLT Alumni Scholarship Fund!
When?
Preservation Leadership Training will be taking place in the following 2010 locations:
PLT: Baton Rouge, Louisiana – June 5th – 12th, 2010
PLT/A: Cincinnati, Ohio – July 17th – 24th, 2010
To apply, please complete the online application. The dealine for all completed applications is March 15th, 2010. For more information, please contact:
Center for Preservation Leadership
National Trust for Historic Preservation
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202.588.6100
Email: plt@nthp.org
Mortar Matters: A Joint Masonry Workshop
Friday, March 26, 2010, in Ames, & Saturday, March 27, 2010, in Mount Vernon
Two workshops. Two dates. Choose the workshop that fits your schedule. The same all-day workshop will be presented at each location. Seminars and walking tours at each workshop will be conducted by John Speweik, of Speweik Preservation Consultants, Inc., Elgin, IL, and David Arbogast, of Arbogast Paint Analysis, Davenport, IA.
Attendees will participate in seminars on topics such as mortar and vocabulary; hands-on identification of mortar and application of mortar; moisture in masonry; and finding the right contractor.
Save the date and plan to join us in March. Information on registration and seminar schedules will be available early in 2010.
Hosted by the Ames Historic Preservation Commission & the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission, in partnership with the State Historical Society of Iowa, and supported with funds from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
The Heritage Preservation Commission of the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Chapter of the American Institute of Architects are co-sponsoring the nineteenth annual Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Awards to recognize projects, individuals and organizations that enhance and celebrate Saint Paul’s cultural resources. The 20010 awards will be presented at an evening event as part of a month-long celebration during National Preservation Month in May. The date and location of the event are to be announced.
1. Restoration/rehabilitation/adaptive reuse of an historic building; New addition to an historic building; New construction in an historic area or district
• Projects must be located in Saint Paul.
• Projects must have been completed between April 1, 2008 and April 1, 2010.
• Projects will be judged by:
• the quality of design, workmanship, and materials;
• the respectfulness of the building’s historic and architectural character;
• the impact of the project on the surrounding neighborhood/community.
2. Organizations and community education projects (for overall contributions to preservation, rather than for a bricks-and-mortar project)
• Organizations and community education projects must be located in Saint Paul.
• Projects will be judged by:
• the quality of their work;
• the relevance of the work to current and emerging preservation issues;
• the impact of their work on a Saint Paul community/neighborhood.
3. Individuals (for an individual, professional or volunteer, who has made an excellent contribution to heritage preservation in Saint Paul)
• Individuals will be judged by:
• the quality of their work;
• their dedication to preserving Saint Paul’s heritage;
• the impact of their work on the Saint Paul community.
4. Cultural heritage (Project, organization, or individual making a significant contribution to the recognition of the city’s cultural heritage)
• Projects will be judged by:
• the quality of the work;
• its impact on the Saint Paul community;
• the extent to which it embodies preservation values.
5. Vote of Confidence Award (Given to a quality preservation-related project having difficulty)
•Project must be located in Saint Paul
• Projects will be judged by:
• the quality of the project and the organizations involved;
• the potential of the project to support preservation values and the Saint Paul community.
6. Historic landscapes: (including cultural landscapes, comprised of plantings and the built environment, and designed landscapes such as cemeteries and parks)
• Projects will be judged by:
• the quality of design, workmanship and materials;
• the degree of reference to a documented historic landscape, where applicable;
• compatibility with an historic building or district.
7. Stewardship: (recognizes outstanding efforts toward the long term maintenance and preservation of a historic property or site)
Award winners will be selected by a jury of Heritage Preservation Commission and American Institute of Architect members using the above criteria and the nomination information submitted.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARDS
To nominate a project, group, or individual for an award, send the enclosed nomination form along with required photographs to the address shown on the form.
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE AT THE SAINT PAUL DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (PED), 25 FOURTH STREET WEST, SUITE 1400, SAINT PAUL, MN 55102 BY 4:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010. Incomplete forms may preclude the nomination from consideration, at the jurors’ discretion.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Amy Spong or Christine Boulware of PED, at (651) 266-9078
Or amy.spong@ci.stpaul.mn.us or christine.boulware@ci.stpaul.mn.us
with questions about the Awards or the nomination forms.
The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has participated in a voluntary review by the Charities Review Council. To read our charity review report, visit the Charities Review Council at www.SmartGivers.org.
