LECTURE POSTPONED! Stephanie Meeks, National Trust for Historic Preservation

This lecture has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Stephanie Meeks, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation will speak about her book, The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities.

There will also be a book signing.

At its most basic, historic preservation is about keeping old places alive, in use, and relevant. And lately, an urban resurgence has swept the nation, finding young people, families, new immigrants, and Americans of all stripes migrating back into city life. These people cite the desire to live somewhere that looks and feels distinctive — Miami’s Art Deco district, New Orleans’ French Quarter and Baltimore’s districts of row houses all draw residents with their historic architecture.

But while this trend is a cause for celebration, it has also raised issues of access, affordability, inequality, sustainability, and commemorating difficult history. In The Past and Future City, Stephanie Meeks describes in detail, and with unique empirical research, the many ways that historic fabric can help a city create thriving neighborhoods and a vibrant economy. She explains the critical importance of inclusive preservation and the ways the preservation field has evolved to the 21st century. Join Stephanie to discuss how these tactics have worked for cities across the country, how figures like Jane Jacobs have shaped the movement, and how preservation can be used to ensure our neighborhoods enjoy continuing vibrancy and success.

Stephanie Meeks has been the president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation since July 2010. Under Meeks’ tenure, the National Trust has launched an effort to highlight the critical connection between older buildings and vibrant cities, and spearheaded research reflecting the benefits of historic preservation in today’s urban areas. Before joining the National Trust, Stephanie served as chief operating officer and acting president and chief executive officer during her 17-year career with The Nature Conservancy. Stephanie serves as Chair of the Board of the Potomac Conservancy and also served as a director of RARE, a U.S.-based conservation group that uses social marketing to address environmental challenges in communities around the world.

From the book's website:

The book describes in detail, and with unique empirical research, the many ways that saving and restoring historic fabric can help a city create thriving neighborhoods, good jobs, and a vibrant economy. Ms. Meeks explains the critical importance of preservation for all our communities, the ways the historic preservation field has evolved to embrace the challenges of the twenty-first century, and the innovative work being done in the preservation space now. This book is for anyone who cares about cities, places, and saving America’s diverse stories, in a way that will bring us together and help us better understand our past, present, and future.