Land conservation usually conjures up images of vast scenic landscapes and natural wonders featuring places like Yosemite, Shenandoah, and Yellowstone. But what’s equally as important to America’s land conservation story has been the effort to protect and conserve landscapes of historical value. Today’s guest, Dr. John Sprinkle, is the Bureau Historian for the National Park Service’s […]
While national and state preservation groups may grab the headlines, preservation is truly won and lost at the local level. It’s the grassroots advocates and volunteers working in communities across the nation who are accomplishing the challenging work of preserving historic places. Today’s guest, Carrie Albee, is leading the efforts of Frederick County Landmarks, a group charged […]
Virginia’s Piedmont is a magical place, filled with rich, verdant farmland and the Shenandoah National Park. Protecting a place this large and special is no simple task. Fortunately, the Piedmont Environmental Council has been on the job since 1972 and has preserved hundreds of thousands of acres of land. Recently, they’ve launched a new historic […]
Reusing and restoring historic places requires many specialized skill sets. For historic theaters and music venues, a major component in that process is making the space sound right. It’s no easy task and for today’s guest, Professor Ian Hoffman, it’s a job that has taken him across the globe. Ian is an architect and acoustic designer. His career […]
The term policy is usually associated with facts, figures, and dry, boring statistics. Today’s guest, Renee Kuhlman, proves that association wrong. In her 19 years at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Renee has provided advocacy training, written articles, and briefs on policy issues, and has worked with preservationists around the country to effect real […]
Historic Ellicott City Maryland is a place that exudes authenticity. It has been flooded again and again, traipsed over by Civil War soldiers, and stained by locomotive smoke. Unfortunately, the most recent floods have resulted in local officials calling to demolish large portions of the historic district, a move that could set a terrible precedent […]
For today’s guest, heading back to the eighteenth century is a daily occurrence and a requirement. Karen Theimer Brown is the vice-president of preservation at Historic Annapolis, a non-profit organization tasked with protecting, preserving and interpreting the history of Maryland’s capital city. Founded in 1649, Annapolis remains one of the most authentic and intact colonial […]
Preservationists often wear many hats across a variety of fields. Today’s guest is no exception. Steph McDougal is a preservation renaissance figure – working as a preservation consultant, authoring books about Texas architecture, and volunteering her time to serve her community and to save historic dance halls throughout the Lone Star State. Not only is Steph the founder of McDoux […]
Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a place rich in history. Dorchester County, founded in 1669, is one of the Shores’ most historic places – a place perhaps most famous for its connection to Harriet Tubman – one of Maryland’s most iconic and daring daughters. This week’s guest Amanda Fenstermaker works tirelessly to market, advocate, and protect […]
Underwater archaeology holds a special place in historic preservation. Dramatic, risky, cold, murky are all words that come to mind. For the stalwart archaeologists of the United States Naval History and Heritage Command it’s not just about finding history. It’s also about protecting the 242 year legacy of the United States Navy. Dr. Robert Neyland, […]