Episodes

Monday Nov 27, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 47: The History of Women's Suffrage in Maryland and Beyond
Monday Nov 27, 2017
Monday Nov 27, 2017
Often with history and historic preservation it can be all too easy for the places associated with a particular piece of our history to fall through the cracks. To a degree, that has been the case the case with the history of Maryland's women's suffrage movement, but today we're joined by historian Kacy Rohn, a native Marylander and the author of a recent historic context report focused on the stories of these women and the places that were important to their stories. Join us for a discussion on the fight for women's right to vote in the United States, and the power of place to help us remember that fight. This is PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/11/27/kacy-rohn-the-history-of-womens-suffrage-in-maryland-and-beyond/

Monday Nov 20, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 46: True Treats Candy and the Age-Old Sweet Tooth
Monday Nov 20, 2017
Monday Nov 20, 2017
It doesn't matter if it's your molar, your canine, or what, everybody has some kind of sweet tooth. Something that you may not be thinking about is how that sweet tooth has played a role in history. Susan Benjamin is the founder of True Treats Candy in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and author of the book Sweet as Sin: The Unwrapped Story of How Candy Became America’s Favorite Pleasure. Susan has appeared on platforms from NPR to NBC, and she joined us on PreserveCast to share the rich history of candy in American culture, from pre-Colombian Native Americans to the working poor of the Industrial Revolution. Go ahead and spoil your dinner with this week’s PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/11/20/susan-benjamin-true-treats-candy-and-the-age-old-sweet-tooth/
Editor's note: Many thanks to the Storm Boyz Lenne Lenape Drum, whose music was used in the today's segment of "Preservation Explanation."

Monday Nov 13, 2017
UPDATED PreserveCast Ep. 45: Mary Anthony and the 1772 Foundation
Monday Nov 13, 2017
Monday Nov 13, 2017
Based in Newport, Rhode Island, the 1772 Foundation’s mission is to ensure the safe passage of historic buildings and farmland to future generations, in the Northeast and around the country. Under the direction of today’s guest, Mary Anthony, one of the key tools the Foundation uses to accomplish this mission is their nationwide historic property redevelopment, or revolving funds, program. Mary explained to us details of how her organization can help save buildings from Colorado to Florida to Maine, and also why it’s important to emphasize the human element of philanthropy, on this week’s PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/11/13/mary-anthony-and-the-1772-foundation/
Producer's note: We apologize for any issues you might have had while accessing this episode. We've recently made some software changes and the original file did not upload correctly. It's been updated and you should now be able to stream and download as usual. Thanks for your patience, and keep on preserving!

Monday Nov 06, 2017
Monday Nov 06, 2017
As historic preservationists, we often can fall into only thinking about history through the framework of buildings and sites, or even get caught up on buildings from just one era. That is not the case for our guest today, Dr. Bill Schindler. Bill is one of the world’s leading experimental archaeologists and an expert on primitive technologies and historic foodways. Join us as Bill explains how food has driven technological development throughout human history, how we are uniquely positioned in that history, and why we may want to look at ancient foodways to inform how we eat in the future. Hopefully we won’t make you too hungry, on this episode of PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/11/06/dr-bill-schindler-primitive-technology-and-the-food-of-the-future/

Monday Oct 30, 2017
Monday Oct 30, 2017
Understanding why preserving historic places makes good economic sense can sometimes seem complex and hard to explain. But fortunately our guest today is Donovan Rypkema, the principal of PlaceEconomics and the President of Heritage Strategies Internationa, and a man who has made a career out of explaining the interplay of economics, real estate, and preservation. Donovan is one of the world thought leaders on preservation economics, and he and Nick talked about the research that Donovan and others have done into the economic benefits of preservation, both short and long term, as well as the uncertain future of the Federal Historic Tax Credit program.

Monday Oct 23, 2017
Monday Oct 23, 2017
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.

Monday Oct 16, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 41: Paint Chip Analysis with Dr. Susan Buck
Monday Oct 16, 2017
Monday Oct 16, 2017
From buildings to furniture to fine art, there are few historic objects or items that Dr. Susan Buck would be unable to analyze through the microscopic examination of paint samples. Join us for a conversation about Susan’s work on projects from Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia to the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, and on items from 19th century Shaker furniture to Egyptian coffins from the 5th century B.C. What can we learn from a paint chip the size of a pin head? Find out on this week’s PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/10/16/paint-chip-analysis-with-dr-susan-buck/

Monday Oct 09, 2017
Monday Oct 09, 2017
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/

Monday Oct 02, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 39: Joe McGill and the Slave Dwelling Project
Monday Oct 02, 2017
Monday Oct 02, 2017
Few historic moments continue to reverberate through our nation quite like the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. But despite the way the history lives on, there are some parts that will always be challenging for us to face as a nation. Joe McGill, the founder of the Slave Dwelling Project, joined me to discuss the work he does to shed light on some of the most painful, yet powerful, places in America. Join us for a discussion on the value of remember all aspects of our past, from slave dwellings to Confederate monuments, on this week’s PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/10/02/joe-mcgill-and-the-slave-dwelling-project/
Producer's note: This episode is part of our focus series on the history of the Antietam Battlefield.

Monday Sep 25, 2017
Monday Sep 25, 2017
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!

Monday Sep 18, 2017
Monday Sep 18, 2017
It's hard to talk about the history of the Civil War without touching on the Maryland Campaign, which came to an end with the Battle of Antietam. This battle was not only the single bloodiest day of the War, but also preicpated Abraham Lincoln's issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation. And as important as the battle was, it would be extremely challenging to pass the history of that day on to future generations without the preserved Antietam Battlefield in its proper context, which is the way it is today thanks to Dr. Tom Clemens and the other members of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Learn more on this week's PreserveCast.
Producer's note: This episode is part of our focus series on the history of the Antietam Battlefield.

Monday Sep 11, 2017
Monday Sep 11, 2017
Community Forklift is part of a vital, growing industry, that of reuse and architectural salvage. Ruthie Mundell, the current Director of Outreach and Education and one of Community Forklift's first employees is here to share with us her own origin story, as well as share about the amazing work that the group is doing today. Stick around to learn how green thinking and the preservation of historic building materials can save the environment, and save you money on your next home improvement project.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/09/11/ruthie-mundell-community-forklift-and-the-ethics-of-reuse/

Tuesday Sep 05, 2017
Tuesday Sep 05, 2017
Historic preservation is about maintaining a record of human history and those who have come before us, and that doesn't just mean buildings. Film, tape, and other analog media mediums are not going to last forever, and there are only a few people out there who understand the potential threat of losing countless hours of recorded information who have the technical skill, the energy, and the passion to do something about it. Fortunately for us, Siobahn Hagan is one of those people. She joined Nick to talk about the work she does with her non-profit, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Moving Images Archive (MARMIA), including digitizing the WJZ local news archive. So fire up the projector and turn down the lights on this episode of PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/09/05/siobhan-hagan-the-archives-of-marmia-audio-and-visual-media-preservation/

Monday Aug 28, 2017
Monday Aug 28, 2017
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.

Monday Aug 21, 2017
Monday Aug 21, 2017
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.

Monday Aug 14, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 32: Live from the Old Line State Summit!
Monday Aug 14, 2017
Monday Aug 14, 2017
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/

Monday Aug 07, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 31: Saving the Numero Uno Taco Bell
Monday Aug 07, 2017
Monday Aug 07, 2017
Every once in a while we in the preservation community can do with a pick me up; a preservation story where in spite of the challenges, people's better nature prevails. And honestly that is the case with our guests this week, Matt Prince of Taco Bell, and Katie Rispoli Keaotamai of We Are The Next. With the support of Taco Bell, the local Conservancy of Downey, CA, and countless taco-loving citizens, Katie and Matt spearheaded the movement to save the building that was home to the very first Taco Bell. Stick around to hear how a few individuals and a corporate citizen who is willing to listen made national news. This is PreserveCast.

Monday Jul 31, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 30: GIS and Technological Advances in Archaeology
Monday Jul 31, 2017
Monday Jul 31, 2017
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/

Monday Jul 24, 2017
Monday Jul 24, 2017
Although not always the first thing to come to mind as a cultural resource in need of preservation, neon signs are a unique form of art that exist at the crossroads of 20th century popular history and the preservation of what can make a community unique. And they look cool doing it. Join us as Paul Greenstein, an expert in creating and restoring neon signage from Los Angeles, CA, shares some of his knowledge of how exactly neon works, what it takes to restore an old sign, and the state of the neon sign community today. So shine on, you crazy noble gases, this is PreserveCast!
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/07/24/paul-greenstein-neon-sign-preservation-and-restoration/

Monday Jul 17, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 28: We Are The Next: Youth Engagement in the 21st Century
Monday Jul 17, 2017
Monday Jul 17, 2017
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/

Monday Jul 10, 2017
Monday Jul 10, 2017
The spread of clean energy technologies is the wave of the future, but where exactly should wind and solar plants go? Nick sat down with Elizabeth Watson and Janet Christensen-Lewis, of the Kent Conservation and Preservation Alliance in Kent County, Maryland, to discuss their experience working to find alternative locations for wind turbines away from Kent County's scenic and historic farmland. Janet and Elizabeth are tackling a difficult problem, but they believe that the necessary move to create sustainable energy does not have to mean erasing our past.
Listen up here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/07/10/elizabeth-watson-janet-christensen-lewis-energy-sprawl-and-open-space-preservation-in-kent-county/

Monday Jul 03, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 26: Open Source Preservation with Baltimore Heritage
Monday Jul 03, 2017
Monday Jul 03, 2017
These days even folks who consider themselves luddites may very well have an e-mail address. That's why it's important to consider where online all the data and information we use on a daily basis is stored, who owns, and perhaps most important, who can access. Fortunately we are joined this week by Eli Pousson of Baltimore Heritage who is eager to share with us more about the open source movement and why he believes it may be invaluable for historic preservation. This is PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/07/03/eli-pousson-open-source-preservation-with-baltimore-heritage/

Monday Jun 19, 2017
Monday Jun 19, 2017
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 Jun 12, 2017
PreserveCast Ep. 23: The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Monday Jun 12, 2017
Monday Jun 12, 2017
Thinking of taking a trip and the beach just isn't cutting it? You might stop to think about heritage tourism. Liz Shatto is here with us this week to share her knowledge of heritage tourism, and more specifically, about her own little slice of it at the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. From educational school trips, to family vacations, and even gps treasure-hunting, there's a lot going on at this heritage area. Both geographically and spiritually at the heart of Civil War history, Liz's Heritage Area includes the Antietam Battlefield, and many other historic places. This is PreserveCast.
Listen here: https://www.preservecast.org/2017/06/12/liz-shatto-the-heart-of-the-civil-war-heritage-area/
Producer's note: This episode is part of our focus series on the history of the Antietam Battlefield.

Monday Jun 05, 2017
Monday Jun 05, 2017
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.