PreserveCast

PreserveCast Ep. 55: McMansion Hell!

Have you ever seen a building and had something about it rub you the wrong way, but you can't explain it? Well, today's guest may be able to help you find the right words. Kate Wagner runs the popular blog McMansion Hell, which takes a comedic approach to dissecting modern suburban architecture, as well as offering informative essays on urban planning and other architectural concepts, including historic preservation. We talked about the blog, how a building can earn the title "McMansion," and where these buildings fit in a larger historic context on this episode of PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/01/22/kate-wagner-mcmansion-hell/

PreserveCast Ep. 54: Repurposing Historic Mills: The Jones Falls Tell-All

It's easy to be surprised by the history in your own backyard, even if you're a historic preservationist. Nathan Dennies, the chairperson and founder of the Greater Hampden Heritage Alliance, joined Nick to trace the history of Baltimore's iconic Hampden-Woodberry neighborhood, including the many recently repurposed historic mills, Baltimore's famous "Avenue," and the Jones Falls river. The area isn't just home to Baltimore's famous Hon-Fest, it's Preservation Maryland's home as well. After all, this is PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/01/15/nathan-dennies-repurposing-historic-mills-the-jones-falls/

PreserveCast Ep. 52: Dana Saylor and the Art of Historic Placemaking

Ever walk into a historic building or place and find yourself imagining new ways to use it? Like an art project or public event? Well, it’s one thing to have the idea, but a historic changemaker, like today’s guest Dana Saylor, is someone who actually follows through. Dana is a prominent voice in placemaking, public art, and preservation, and she spoke with Nick from her home in Buffalo, New York about creative ways that people can use historic places. 

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/01/02/dana-saylor-and-the-art-of-historic-placemaking/

PreserveCast Ep. 51: On-Site from the American Visionary Art Museum

A few weeks ago we took PreserveCast on the road, albeit only a few blocks, to visit a truly unique historic place, the American Visionary Art Museum. Nick sat down with AVAM's founder, Rebecca Hoffberger, in one of the museums several repurposed, historic buildings to discuss the history of the institution that houses the world's largest collection of 'outsider' or 'visionary' art. Nick and Rebecca covered a lot of topics, including the decision-making process that led Rebecca to locate in a campus of historic buildings in Baltimore city. Things may seem a little unorthodox, but that's what visionary art is all about on this episode of PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/12/27/rebecca-hoffberger-the-american-visionary-art-museum/

PreserveCast Ep. 50: In Defense of Brutalism: Greg Galer of the Boston Preservation Alliance

When is a building worth saving? This can be a controversial question, even among preservationists. Greg Galer, the Executive Director of the Boston Preservation Alliance, joined us on PreserveCast to share his perspective. Greg has worked to preserve many examples of mid-century modern ‘brutalist’ architecture, like Boston City Hall and the Boston Christian Science Center. Should exposed concrete structures be preserved the same as 19^th century estates? A brutal question (and hard to answer too), but let’s talk about it on this week’s PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/12/18/in-defense-of-brutalism-greg-galer-of-the-boston-preservation-alliance/

PreserveCast Ep. 42: Montgomery Modern: What's the Future for Mid-Century Modern Architecture?

When does history end? For some, like today’s guest Clare Lise Kelly, it might be closer to the present than you think. Clare is an architectural historian here in Maryland whose focus is the preservation of mid-century modern architecture from the 1950s and 60s. She literally wrote the book Montgomery Modern, focused on the architecture of Montgomery County, northwest of Washington D.C. From the future of office parks to Frank Lloyd Wright, there’s a lot to cover before we have to say so long on this episode of PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/10/23/clare-lise-kelly-montgomery-modern-whats-the-future-for-mid-century-modern-architecture/

 

Producer's note: At around the 24:00 minute mark, Clare mentions an example of a building with a successfully, fully-restored facade. She said the Seagram Building, but was actually intending to reference the Lever House.

PreserveCast Ep. 40: Colin Dickey's Ghostland and the PreserveCast Spooktacular

As preservationists, we here at PreserveCast are usually concerned with the physical history; what we can know from the cold hard facts. But seeing as how it’s October and Halloween is around the corner, we thought we’d talk a little about haunted history. Author Colin Dickey joined me to talk about the history of ghost stories and share what we can learn from the places that scare us. The conversation ranges all the way from Silicon Valley to Richmond Virginia on this, the first ever PreserveCast Spooktacular!

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/10/09/colin-dickey-ghostland-and-the-preservecast-spooktacular/

PreserveCast Ep. 38: Building Information Modeling at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Building Information Modeling (BIM) allows architects to measure elements of a building down to the centimeter, and Tom Reinhart is here to explain how George Washington's Mount Vernon is expanding on that technology even further to get the most benefit for historic preservationsits. What do you get when you cross information from George Washington's own handwritten letters and the latest tech in data systems and digital modeling? Find out on this week's PreserveCast!

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/09/25/tom-reinhart-building-information-modeling-at-george-washingtons-mount-vernon/

PreserveCast Ep. 34: Saving Froelicher Hall: Goucher College's Historic Building Move

Moving a historic home is already a challenge, but moving a historic college dorm? Stick around while Nick talks to Terence McCann, Jr., the Director of Facilities Management Services at Goucher College, where they are in the process of moving three out of four of the original buildings that make up Froelicher Hall. This move is historic in more ways than one, as it is also one of the biggest and fastest building move ever attempted. 

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/08/28/terence-mccann-jr-saving-froelicher-hall-goucher-colleges-historic-building-move/

PreserveCast Ep. 33: Revolving Funds, Easements, and D.C. Preservation with the L'Enfant Trust

Historic Preservation is not always accomplished through the same methods, and it's certainly not the same everywhere you go. That's why Nick sat down with Lauren Oswalt McHale, President of the L'Enfant Trust in Washington, D.C., to compare notes on some of the trust's biggest programs. This includes their massive conservation easement program, as well as the trust's work using a revolving fund to redevelop historic properties in the Anacostia neighborhood in Southeast D.C., an area whose history has too often been ignored.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/08/21/lauren-oswalt-mchale-revolving-funds-easements-and-dc-preservation-with-the-lenfant-trust/

PreserveCast Ep. 32: Live from the Old Line State Summit!

On July 12th of this year, preservationists from across the state of Maryland convened at the U.S. Naval Academy to take part in the Old Line State Summit, Preservation Maryland's annual conference. Participants learned about all of the most current topics in the field, ranging from virtual and augmented reality, to the preservation of LGBTQ history, and podcasting! Join Nick and guests Diane Caslow, of the Preservation Maryland Board, Susan Giddings of the Friends of the Rising Sun Inn, and Catherine Rogers Arthur from the Maryland State Archives, along with the "studio audience" for a special recording of PreserveCast, Live from the Old Line State Summit!

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/08/14/live-from-the-old-line-state-summit-conference/

PreserveCast Ep. 30: GIS and Technological Advances in Archaeology

There's more to modern archaeology than the old shovel and trowell. With the use of Geographic Information Systems, archaeologists can create maps of land surface down to extraordinarily specific levels, and predict sites for teams to go in and dig. Nick sat down with Stacy Poulos from Maryland's own Anne Arundel County to discuss the many advances in technology in archaeology including GIS, laser scanning, and the potential future developments like holographic displays of lost buildings! This is PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/07/31/stacy-poulous-gis-and-technological-advances-in-archaeology/

PreserveCast Ep. 28: We Are The Next: Youth Engagement in the 21st Century

Historic Preservation is meant to keep the best parts of the past alive so that future generations can partake in these shared cultural resources. But what is the point of that if future generations aren't interested, or simply don't know how to approach the world of preservation? Thankfully, Katie Rispoli Keaotamai, the founder and executive director of We Are The Next, is here to share about the work her nonprofit is doing to help youth in traditionally underserved and overlooked communities learn how to be active citizens, and understand the value of preserving their neighborhoods and communities. Katie's joining us from Southern California, but her message applies around the world because this is PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/07/17/katie-rispoli-keaotamai-we-are-the-next-youth-engagement-in-the-21st-century/

PreserveCast Ep. 24: Diners, Dueling Grounds, and Dives: Roadside Architecture and the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area

Route One was once America's thoroughfare, built over the older Quebec-Miami International Highway and the Atlantic Highway. A decent stretch of this old road falls under the purview of Aaron Marcavitch, the Executive Director of Maryland's Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, and this week's guest. Aaron is an advocate for the preservation of roadside architecture, ranging from diners that predate the highway system to an old Woolworth's. This is all in addition to his work preserving communities and buildings throughout his area, including an old dueling ground just north of Washington D.C. Roll down the window and put your feet on the dash. This is PreserveCast. 

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/06/19/aaron-marcavitch-roadside-architecture-and-the-anacostia-trails-heritage-area/

PreserveCast Ep. 22: It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity: Preservation in the Southern Climate

Phew! Everybody loves the summertime, but not so much the beating hot sun! Nick spoke this week with Will Hamilton and Mariah Schwartz about the historic Aiken Rhett House in Charleston, South Carolina, and what preservationists can do to keep the temperature of a historic propoerty under control, especially in the heat of a Southern Summer. Get a fan going and try to cool off as we learn about the Historic Charleston Foundation, the preserve-as-found approach, and hottest new takes on heating and cooling. This is PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/06/05/will-hamilton-mariah-schwartz-its-not-the-heat-its-the-humidity-preservation-in-the-southern-climate/

PreserveCast Ep. 18: Moving Historic Buildings

From power lines to old wood floors, there are a lot of challenges to overcome if you want to move a historic building. Fortunately for us, Jeremy Bradham, of Capitol Area Preservation in Raleigh, North Carolina, is able to explain how to overcome those challenges. Jeremy talks us through a typical building move, as well as weighing in on how changing a building's location can change its historic context. It's not going be too bumpy of a ride, but you still might as well strap in for this episode of PreserveCast. 

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/05/08/jeremy-bradham-capital-area-preservation-north-carolina-moving-historic-buildings/

PreserveCast Ep. 17: Tricks of the Trade with The Craftsman Blog with Scott Sidler

Nick is joined by Scott Sidler of the thecraftsmanblog.com and Austin Home Restorations in Orlando, Florida, to discuss a range of topics, including Scott's tips on restoring historic windows in your own home, as well as the story of how a man who moved to Orlando Florida to "work for the mouse" came to run one of the most successful historic home restoration and preservation websites in the world. It's hot down in Orlando, so why cool not off for a while with a nice easy-listening episode of PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/05/01/scott-sidler-austin-historical-tricks-of-the-trade-with-the-craftsman-blog/

PreserveCast Ep. 15: Augmented Reality in the World of Preservation with Greg Werkheiser

Ever visit a historic site and wish that you could see just a little bit more of what things were really like? Thanks to the work of Greg Werkheiser and his partners at ARtGlass, that will soon be possible. Listen as Nick and Greg discuss the future of augmented and virtual reality in historic preservation and heritage tourism, as well as Greg's pioneering work as a cultural heritage lawyer. You don't need VR goggles to get the full experience, just press play and listen to PreserveCast!

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/04/17/greg-werkheiser-artglass-augmented-reality-at-historic-sites/

PreserveCast Ep. 13: Architectural Documentation Best Practices with HABS/HAER

Who do you look to when you need historic places, vehicles and more documented on a national level? Well, the National Parks are at your Service! This week Nick spoke to the head of the Historic American Building Survey, Catherine Lavoie, as well as a representative from the Historic American Engineering Record, Dana Lockett. Learn about how Catherine and Dana work to document everything from buildings to landscapes to a space shuttle on this episode of PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/04/03/dana-lockett-catherine-lavoie-architectural-documentation-best-practices-with-habs-haer/

PreserveCast Ep. 08: Lend Your Ear to a Preservation Engineer

This week Nick sits down with a bonafide preservation engineer, Mat Daw of Keast and Hood. Mat has done critical building preservation work on all different scales and all over the world, from an annual trip to the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse here in Maryland to particpating in disaster relief work saving buildings in Haiti. Lend us your ear as PreserveCast learns what a day in the life of a preservation engineer is like.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/02/27/mat-daw-keast-and-hood-lend-your-ear-to-a-preservation-engineer/

PreserveCast Ep. 06: The Art of 3D Modeling with Michelle Eshelman

This week, Nick sits down with a Preservation Maryland staff member, Michelle Eshelman. Michelle is a frequent user of 3D modeling software and discuss how she has been able to use her skills for the benefit of preservationists. Of particular note is her work in Ellicott City, a historic town that was hit by a devastating flood in July of 2016. Grab your finest 3D modeling software while you listen to this week's PreserveCast.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/02/13/the-art-of-3d-modeling-with-michelle-eshelman/

PreserveCast Ep. 05: It's Easy Being Green with Architect Nakita Reed

We're not talking about painting a roof green! Listen to Nick talk to preservationist and architect Nakita Reed about how sustainable technologies like rooftop solar panels are finding their way into the world of historic preservation. Plus Nakita talks you through some of the basic how-tos of making your historic property more sustainable, and we learn some of the challenges of straddling the two worlds of architecture and historic preservation.

Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/02/06/its-easy-being-green-with-architect-nakita-reed/