Historic Preservation for Professionals

Virginia Benson, Richard Klein

Description

A broad-based approach to preservation After completing an extensive survey of preservation programs throughout the United States, authors Virginia O. Benson and Richard Klein saw the need for this comprehensive approach to historic preservation, examining where it has been and where it is going, anticipating that historic preservation must encourage collaborative projects among planning, design, and development professionals.This text focuses on complex economic, political, and social realities facing the profession today. Specifically, Historic Preservation for Professionals provides an in-depth historic analysis of the profession, a summary of legal issues, an architectural synopsis, a discussion of career opportunities in the public and private sectors, and examples of innovative nonprofit leadership and preservation trends.Design professionals-architecture, interior, and landscape-and those interested in urban design and urban studies, real estate development, and nonprofit management will find Historic Preservation for Professionals a valuable addition to the fields of architecture, urban design, and preservation.

Sujets

• Reference work
• Architecture

Informations

• Publié par: The Kent State University Press
• Date de parution: 20 janvier 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781631010279
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 14 Mo

Extrait

Historic Preservation for Professionals

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Historic Preservation forProfessionals

Virginia O. BensonandRichard Klein

The Kent State University Press Kent, Ohio

©2008by The Kent State University Press, Kent, Ohio44242 All rights reserved Library of Congress Catalog Card Number2008014198 isbn 9780873389273 Manufactured in the United States of America

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data Benson, Virginia O.  Historic preservation for professionals / Virginia O. Benson and Richard Klein.  p. cm.  Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 9780873389273(pbk. : alk. paper)∞ 1I. Klein, Richard,. Historic preservation—United States. 1949Title.– II. e159.b42 2008  363.6'90973—dc22 2008014198

British Library Cataloging-in-Publication data are available.

12 11 10 09 08

5 4 3 2 1

Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Foreword by Stanley M. Smith vii

Acknowledgments x

The Transforming Power of Historic Preservation1

Advancing Historic Preservation in the United States9

Historic Preservation: Its Legislative Framework30

U.S. Architectural Styles: A Critical Analysis51

The Nonproît Role in Historic Preservation90

SixPublic-Sector Role in Historic Preservation The

Seven

Eight

Nine

The Private-Sector Role in Historic Preservation

Preserve American Culture167

117

145

The Future of Historic Preservation: Trends and Careers

Glossary of Preservation Terms

References

Index

231

218

208

186

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Foreword

Stanley M. Smith

During the panel discussion about revolving funds at a National Trust for Historic Preservation conference several years ago, a speaker preceding me emphasized avoiding risk. This individual outlined a plethora of pro- cedures and controls to guarantee that preservation organizations never lose money when they lend or invest. This presentation gave me time to rethink what I would say.  When it was my turn to speak, I announced that preservation revolving funds exist to let us take risks that wise people endowed with solid business acumen would not consider reasonable or responsible investments. I was serious! The job and challenge of preservation leaders and professionals is to manage risk, not avoid it, to perpetuate the architectural heritage of diverse communities.  Preservation leaders have historically embraced visions of the future that are ahead of their time and differ substantially from accepted wisdom. Several examples:

•  In the early twentieth century, some considered Victorian architecture “ugly” and worth being replaced. Today it is prized for neighborhood revitalization. • thought the ugly, old-fashioned gothic Notre Dame Cathedral Voltaire in Paris should be demolished and replaced with a beautiful Greek-style temple of reason. Several decades later, Viollet-le-Duc implemented a preservation vision, one that makes Notre Dame rank among landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, which deîne places, attract tourists, and symbol- ize the diverse factors that make a nation more than the sum of its people.

vii

viii

FOREWORD

•  The1950s International style of architecture is out of fashion today, con- sidered ugly by some, and sometimes endangered, unless visionary pres- ervationists assemble strategies to assure its survival and continued use. • important executive from a huge foundation in a Midwest city re- An spectfully explained to me that the upscale houses from the1920s in a neighborhood aficted by substantial demographic and economic changes could not be saved, “because they were constructed of wood and everyone knows that wood structures rarely last more than îfty years.”

Preservation leaders have always articulated arguments and persuaded peo- ple to look differently at their surroundings, and they still need to do so.  What does it take to manage the strategic social, legal, and înancial risks people must take to conserve our architectural heritages? Most pres- ervation initiatives fall into two broad general themes:  The îrst is stewardship—taking good care of and protecting what we already have. The built environment continually needs cyclic new invest- ments in care and maintenance, even though its cultural and artistic values may be generally acknowledged. The impact of deferred maintenance on old buildings is always there. The question always before us is: Can we can address deterioration of building fabrics proactively and sensitively, or do we sometimes require a crisis to get mobilized?  The second is early intervention to save often unrecognized or under- valued cultural resources. This usually entails taking major risks, striving to obtain control over buildings, changing the minds of well-placed deci- sion makers, and/or securing funds needed to foster sustained economic feasibility.  In both cases, success in preservation requires perseverance, tenacity, mastery of the facts, and collaboration. This book is a îne starting point for people new to preservation and a valuable reference for those already deeply involved in efforts to conserve our built environment. Credible, ef- fective organizations have leaders who do not give up easily. They seek out and test facts to guide their work and collaborate so that private, nonproît groups complement the planning and regulatory powers of government entities. Whether by reading the entire book carefully or studying it selec- tively, paid professionals, members of historic commissions, and volunteers serving on nonproît boards have the opportunity to dramatically increase their personal and collective effectiveness.  The beneîts of conserving and reinvigorating living communities are not just a set of economic arguments to use with legislators or decision

FOREWORD

ix

makers. Maintaining the identity of tangible historic places is one of the hallmarks of civilization and the antithesis of the creeping sprawl which tends to separate people and communities one from another. Understand- ing the content of this book is a valuable tool with which to bequeath the best of our present and past to succeeding generations.

∙ ∙ ∙

Stanley M. Smith recently retired, after leading Historic Boston Incorporated for twentyfive years. Using a preservation revolving fund, Historic Boston has put people and resources together to preserve, usually through complex realestate transactions, more than a dozen onceendangered historic sites. Each had a pivotal impact on its surroundings and the city in general.  In addition, after losing two battles—but in both cases winning the war—to preserve Boston’s last old synagogue and a nationally significant Jesuit church, Historic Boston decided to address religious property preservation more proac tively. It raised new monies for the Steeples Project, which during its first ten years awarded $1.2 million as competitive matching grants to the owners of sixty historic religious properties. These funds, accompanied by substantive technical assistance, catalyzed owners to plan and implement needed repairs for their buildings, which punctuate the skyline, define places, and house a variety of human services.