Episodes

Monday Sep 24, 2018
Monday Sep 24, 2018
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 is focused on understanding the interactions of sound and space in the built environment. For over 25 years, Ian has made significant contributions to the design, renovation, adaptation, and restoration of buildings for music, theater performance, and assembly.
Ian is also a faculty member in acoustics at the Johns Hopkins' Peabody Institute. The courses he teaches range from architectural acoustic design and analysis, acoustic measurement, acoustic modeling, noise control, and psychoacoustics.
Today Nick and Ian discuss the challenges of incorporating modern sound into historic spaces while still maintaining its visual charm.
In this episode you will learn: what an acoustician is and what they do; the intersections of music, engineering, and architecture in historic spaces; the challenges that come with incorporating contemporary sound while maintaining the nostalgic charm in historic theaters, former vaudeville houses, and music venues; and why we still attend live concerts, shows, and plays even though we have easy access to digital recordings
So listen closely, we’re talking historic acoustics on this week’s PreserveCast!
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PRESERVECAST SHOW NOTES
https://www.preservecast.org

Monday Sep 17, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 87: Myth Busting Historic Tax Credits with Renee Kuhlman
Monday Sep 17, 2018
Monday Sep 17, 2018
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 and meaningful change. As the current Director of Policy Outreach, Renee has been assisting legislators and advocates across the country with the adoption, expansion, and protection of state-level and federal-level historic rehabilitation tax credit programs.
Most recently, she has been involved in a multi-year campaign to protect historic tax credits, which are some of the most important tools available to the preservation community. Renee also works on a campaign to enact dedicated funding for the maintenance of historic resources in our national parks.
In this episode, Nick and Renee discuss: what a historic tax credit is and why you should care; the deconstruction of negative myths surrounding historic tax credits and how they benefit communities; how real estate developers and you can benefit from both federal and state-level historic tax credits; the role local grassroots organizations played in saving federal historic tax credits last year; resources you can access to advocate for; and how to improve or increase your state's historic tax credits; and how our national parks hold more than just beautiful outdoor scenery/
As you can see, it's not just all stats and figures on this week's episode of PreserveCast!
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PRESERVECAST TWITTER
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PRESERVECAST SHOW NOTES
https://www.preservecast.org

Monday Sep 10, 2018
Monday Sep 10, 2018
Ellicott City, Maryland is a place that exudes authenticity. It has been flooded repeatedly, 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 here in Maryland and beyond.
Today’s guest, Mary Catherine Cochran is working to stop that plan and to find a way to balance life, history, and safety. As a Howard County native and lifelong preservationist, Mary Catherine co-founded Preservation Howard County and has served as the executive director of the Patapsco Heritage Greenway. In recognition of her work, she was inducted into the Howard County Women's Hall of Fame in 2017.
As a tireless defender of Ellicott City, Mary Catherine is working in partnership with a grassroots collective of supporters and larger organizations like Preservation Maryland to defeat a new proposal that would demolish large portions of this historic town.
In this episode, Nick and Mary discuss:
- the importance of making science-based decisions to mitigate flooding in an age of climate change
- ways to engage a community that has been traumatized with the physical and the financial losses of their businesses
- the challenges associated with public acquisition of private businesses located in historic buildings
- how to contact the Howard County Council to voice your opinion on saving this community
Grab your hard hats and get to work with Nick and Mary on this week's episode of PreserveCast!
PRESERVECAST FB PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/preservecast/
PRESERVECAST TWITTER
https://twitter.com/preservecast
PRESERVECAST SHOW NOTES
https://www.preservecast.org

Monday Sep 03, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 85: Modernizing Historic Annapolis with Karen Theimer Brown
Monday Sep 03, 2018
Monday Sep 03, 2018
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 towns in all of America.
For Karen and her colleagues at Historic Annapolis, it’s a full-time job to protect that authenticity from rising tides and pressure to grow. Grab you Old Bay and get your crab mallet ready. We’re headed to Naptown to talk preservation’s past and future on this week's PreserveCast.
PRESERVECAST FB PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/preservecast/
PRESERVECAST TWITTER
https://twitter.com/preservecast
PRESERVECAST SHOW NOTES
https://www.preservecast.org

Monday Aug 27, 2018
Monday Aug 27, 2018
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 Preservation, a data and community-driven historic preservation consulting practice based in Houston, she is also the co-founder and current board president of Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc. She acts as a facilitator of community engagement, which connects Texas' historic social dance clubs to today's current community. Her mission is to stabilize, preserve, and reinvent new, sustainable uses for the most iconic vernacular architecture deep in the heart of Texas.
Get ready to boot scoot and two step across Texas' rich dance hall history with Steph and Nick on this week's PreserveCast!
PRESERVECAST FB PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/preservecast/
PRESERVECAST TWITTER
https://twitter.com/preservecast
PRESERVECAST SHOW NOTES
https://www.preservecast.org

Monday Aug 20, 2018
Monday Aug 20, 2018
In Maryland the land across the Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern Shore, is a place rich in history. The landscape itself oozes history and speaks in many voices for those willing to listen. Dorchester County, founded in 1669, is one of the Shores’ most historic places most famous for its connection to Harriet Tubman.
This week’s guest Amanda Fenstermaker works tirelessly to market, advocate and protect her native county’s history – and the results are showing as the county is quickly becoming a major tourist destination for those interested in learning about our nation’s African-American history.
Join us this week for a journey to the Eastern Shore, a teaser for a real road trip you’ll certainly want to make on your own very soon.

Monday Aug 13, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 82: Deep Sea Diving with Dr. Robert Neyland
Monday Aug 13, 2018
Monday Aug 13, 2018
Underwater archaeology holds a special place in historic preservation. Dramatic, risky, cold, and murky are all words that come to mind. But 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, the head of the Navy’s Underwater Archaeology Branch, is leading that effort and has worked on some of the nation’s most famous underwater projects, including the iconic H.L. Hunley in Charleston, South Carolina. Get ready for a deep dive into the world of naval underwater archaeology on this week’s PreserveCast.

Monday Aug 06, 2018
Monday Aug 06, 2018
The World War I fighter ace Eddie Rickenbacker once wrote that, “Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.” Today’s guest, Andrea Cochrane Tracey, is leading the effort to preserve and interpret the College Park Aviation Museum, a place that tells that story of conquering the impossible just a few miles from our nation’s capital. The museum is a 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located on the grounds of the world's oldest continuously operating airport in College Park, Maryland. It was founded in 1909 when Wilbur Wright arrived in Maryland to give flight instruction to the first military aviators.
Make sure you tray table is in the upright and locked position as we fly full speed into the past on this week's episode of PreserveCast.

Monday Jul 30, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 80: Keeping Historic Savannah Authentic with Daniel Carey
Monday Jul 30, 2018
Monday Jul 30, 2018
Savannah, Georgia, often conjures up visions of elegant mansions shrouded by graceful Spanish moss clinging to the branches of towering live oaks. But that vision isn't always a given. It is a daily fight to protect the city’s historic character from the ravages of time and being loved to death by throngs of tourists every year. Fortunately, Daniel Carey is leading the effort at the Historic Savannah Foundation to maintain an authentic experience for tourists of the city as well as keeping it affordable and maintaining its charm for its native residents. Learn how Daniel is promoting slow rise revitalization efforts as well as developing a sustainable approach to tourism management in this week's episode of PreserveCast!
https://www.preservecast.org/2018/07/30/keeping-historic-savannah-authentic-with-daniel-carey/

Monday Jul 23, 2018
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Historic preservation without tradespeople is just theory. That's why today's guest, Matt Hankins, is so important.
Matt is a talented and experienced preservation carpenter and shop supervisor at Worcester Eisenbrandt, the leading historic property renovation and restoration firm in the Mid-Atlantic region.
He has spent years learning how to restore historic places using traditional methods. In this episode, we discuss the trades, jobs, and the future of these critical skills in this week's hands-on version of PreserveCast!

Monday Jul 16, 2018
Monday Jul 16, 2018
Enjoy this re-release of episode 24 from our archives as PreserveCast takes a quick summer break. Explore roaside architecture along Maryland's historic Route One with our executive producer Aaron Marcavitch in "Diners, Dueling Grounds, and Dives." Sit back, listen up, and relax while we return with a new episode soon.
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.

Monday Jul 09, 2018
Re-Release Ep. 03: Underwater Archaeology with Dr. Susan Langley
Monday Jul 09, 2018
Monday Jul 09, 2018
We've melted! Nope, we're just taking a quick summer vacation. We are re-releasing an earlier episode of PreserveCast with Dr. Susan Langley. She has one of the coolest jobs around as an underwater archaeologist, so dive in and we will back soon with a new episode of PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/01/23/dr-susan-langley-maryland-state-underwater-archaeologist-mallows-bay/
Archaeology that's nautical? Highly illogical! In this episode Nick gets to know Dr. Susan Langley, THE Maryland State Underwater Archaeologist. Nick and Susan discuss her work at Mallows Bay, the Maryland bay that is home to the largest ship graveyard in the Western Hemisphere, as well as plenty more as PreserveCast takes a trip under the sea!

Monday Jul 02, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 78: America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Monday Jul 02, 2018
Monday Jul 02, 2018
Just last week, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced its annual list of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in America. Two of these eleven sites are located in Maryland! Since Preservation Maryland is the host of PreserveCast, this news hit close to home, quite literally.
The historic waterfront of Annapolis and George Washington’s historic view at Mount Vernon in Maryland have received proposals to undergo altered landscapes. Listen in as Nick and Meagan discuss the impact and opportunities of such listings and early efforts already underway to address these challenges head on.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/07/02/americas-11-most-endangered-historic-places/

Monday Jun 25, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 77: Keeping NOLA Hip and Historic with Danielle Del Sol
Monday Jun 25, 2018
Monday Jun 25, 2018
New Orleans. The Big Easy. The City that Care Forgot. It’s a place with few equals in history, architecture or culture. Protecting and preserving a place this significant is difficult and never-ending work. Fortunately, the Preservation Resource Center has been committed to doing just that for 44 years. Today’s guest, Daniel Del Sol, is the Executive Director of the Center and she came into leadership during a time of tremendous challenges and opportunities – all of which we’ll talk about on today’s episode. So, sit back, find a cool breeze, grab a Sazerac and get ready to talk preservation with a New Orleans twist on this week’s PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/06/25/keeping-nola-hip-and-historic-with-danielle-del-sol/

Monday Jun 18, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 76: Preservation Buffalo Style with Jessie Fisher
Monday Jun 18, 2018
Monday Jun 18, 2018
Buffalo. The very word conjures up visions of snow drifts and shuttered factories –but the reality is much different. Today, Buffalo is a city on the rise and the rich history of this city by the lake is playing a starring role in its renaissance. Today’s guest, Jessie Fisher, is leading the city-wide preservation group charged with identifying, protecting and promoting that heritage. Fortunately, you won’t need your snow shovels for this interview -- its June and it’s a fine time to talk about all things Buffalo on this week’s PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/06/18/preservation-buffalo-style/

Monday Jun 11, 2018
Monday Jun 11, 2018
Not all preservationists are environmentalists and not all environmentalists are preservationists – but today’s guest is, in fact, both. Kristen Harbeson is the Political Director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters – the political voice of the environment. She’s a tireless advocate for healthy communities and has made a career in standing up for issues that matter – and while she’s currently fighting for a healthier earth, she’s also been a passionate voice for preservation. Kristen will explain how and why the environmental and preservation communities can play better together and how that might just save the world on this week’s PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/06/11/kristen-harbeson-and-the-environmental-side-of-preservation/

Monday Jun 04, 2018
Monday Jun 04, 2018
Do you ever wonder how people can write new books about history? Shouldn’t it never change because it’s all in the past? The truth is anything but, and no one can explain that better than today’s guest, Dennis Frye. Having been involved in everything from giving tours to leading nationally important preservation and battlefield protection organizations, few people know Civil War History like Dennis. And in his new book, Antietam Shadows, he makes the case that history should never lie dormant, it always needs to be re-examined. Join as Nick and Dennis talk about Dennis’ new book, highlights from his career in preservation, and more on this week’s PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/06/04/antietam-shadows-dennis-frye-history-we-think-we-know/

Monday May 28, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 73: Brittany LaVelle Tulla and Historic Charleston
Monday May 28, 2018
Monday May 28, 2018
What do you think it takes for a historic location to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? This week’s guest, Brittany LaVelle Tulla, thinks that her home and her passion, Charleston, South Carolina, has what it takes. Join Nick as he and Brittany talk all things historic preservation in one of the most famous historic towns in the country, including Brittany’s own business as an architectural historian, her work with the Charleston Young Preservationists, and the dynamic and unique challenges facing a town that many see as a total preservation success. This is PreserveCast!
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/05/28/brittany-lavelle-tulla-historic-charleston/

Monday May 21, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 72: Keeping Original Windows with Sam Pardue of Indow
Monday May 21, 2018
Monday May 21, 2018
Living in a historic home can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but also, an incredibly trying one. It seems there is always some new challenge rising up out of the woodwork, especially when it comes to original wood windows. Some professionals will say the only way to improve the efficiency of your windows is to replace them, no matter if you want to preserve craftsmanship that’s lasted decades, if not centuries. Today’s guest, Sam Pardue of Indow Windows, was faced with just that problem, and he ended up creating a solution that is now being applied to windows across the country. As part of Preservation Month, we want to bring you up close and personal with a technological innovator and his invention. Step right up to the glass on this week’s PreserveCast!
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/05/21/keeping-original-windows-sam-pardue-indow/

Monday May 14, 2018
Monday May 14, 2018
The British Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is just around the corner. It’s a historic moment, and the buzz around it has even crossed the pond and reach PreserveCast. The excitement has also provided us the perfect reason to talk to a true Baltimore Original, Philp Baty. Philip has spent years curating a private collection of items all related to Baltimore’s own member of the royal family, the Duchess of Windsor. We got to Philip just in time, as the one-of-a-kind collection is being put to auction in conjunction with the marriage of Harry and Meghan. Philip’s passion for the Duchess is also one-of-a-kind, on this special Royal Wedding edition of PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/05/14/baltimore-royal-family-duchess-of-windsor-collection-adele-corner-house/

Monday May 07, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 70: Rod Cofield and Museum Education on the Ground
Monday May 07, 2018
Monday May 07, 2018
Talking about museums is one thing, but what about the folks on the ground who really make the history happen? Rod Cofield is our guest this week, and while currently the Director of Hisoric London Town and Gardens, he has been on the frontlines of history education his whole career. Rod and Nick spoke about his time as a costumed interpreter in Historic St. Mary’s City, and the many current projects at London Town including their plans to crowdfund reconstruction of the 18th century bar that once stood in the tavern building on site. This is no re-enactment, Rod was right here in studio with us, on PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/05/07/rod-cofield-historic-london-town-maryland/

Monday Apr 30, 2018
Monday Apr 30, 2018
Preservationists come in all shapes and sizes, but have you ever heard of a preservationist cut-out doll? Today’s guest, Sarah Marsom, is a jack of all trades in terms of historic preservation. She’s a consultant, she’s a co-founder of the Rust Belt Coalition of Young Preservationists, and to top it all off she created the Tiny Activist Project, which raises funds through the sale of dolls that celebrate inspirational figures in preservation, like Jane Jacobs. Sarah and I cover all these programs and more. Stick around for a ~little~ while, on this week’s PreserveCast!
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/04/30/sarah-marsom-and-the-rust-belt-coalition-of-young-preservationists/

Monday Apr 23, 2018
Monday Apr 23, 2018
For some of the larger historic buildings out there, it can take a number of craftspeople and specialists to properly restore and preserve them. But few have the knowledge and ability to organize stone masons, window craftsmen, and countless other trade specialists who may otherwise be used to working independently. One of those few is with us today; Tyler Tate is the President of Lewis Contractors, a construction company that partially specializes in historic institutional buildings. Tyler spoke with Nick about details of some of the many unique projects his company has been involved in, like the Washington Monument in Baltimore, the Brice House in Annapolis, and more. We won’t try to ~build~ anticipation any longer, this is PreserveCast!
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/04/23/big-picture-preservation-tyler-tate-lewis-contractors/

Monday Apr 16, 2018
PreserveCast Ep. 67: Adventures in Preservation with Judith Broeker
Monday Apr 16, 2018
Monday Apr 16, 2018
As the winter comes to a close, you may find yourself dreaming of some relaxation time. Sure there’s the beach or camping, but have you ever considered a trip where you can help repair 500 year old stone towers in Eastern Europe? If your answer to that question is yes, this is the podcast for you. Judith Broeker, the co-founder of Adventures in Preservation, facilitates volunteer trips across the globe, connecting preservation craftspeople and experts with individuals who are ready and willing to lend a hand, and travel too! Judith and Nick discuss how these trips are funded, how projects are chosen, and the ways that these trips can assist historic communities, on this week's PreserveCast!
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2018/04/16/adventures-in-preservation/

Monday Apr 09, 2018
Monday Apr 09, 2018
As historic preservationists we often can feel a sense of despair whenever we see a building that's been abandoned for years or even decades. Our guest today, Matthew Christopher of Abandoned America, knows just that feeling. That's why he is dedicated to gaining access to abandoned buildings and spaces across the country, and photographing what he finds inside. Matthew's images have appeared in countless esteemed publications, and he has photographed abandoned sites ranging from old mental hospitals to public utility buildings to theme parks. Don't go away! Matthew and Nick discuss how he picks his sites, why he thinks these buildings end up so mistreated, and how photography and greater exposure can sometimes help turn things around.