Preservation Magazine

What is great about the publication? Because it covers what it should cover!

As a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, I receive Preservation, the organizations fabulous magazine. I became an NTHP member when I was a graduate student back in 1996 so I could keep abreast of what is always happening in the historic preservation field. But more important, I feel that what is great about the magazine is that it does offer a wide variety of articles regarding the scope of preservation. There are always articles and short pieces about a specific building-residential or commercial; whether or not it has been saved or demolished; whether it has been adaptively re-used or not. But those that live, work and breathe in the field are keenly aware that preservation content transcends home and building. Take the Fall 2017 issue. While the cover story dealt with the awarding of three community-focused projects by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation-SurveyLA, Washington Hall in Seattle and Historic Hammett Place-Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, there were other notable categories. Landscape content presented information on Filoli's “gentleman's orchards” and the wide variety of fruits produced such as apples, pears, as well as, other pomological delights. What about maritime structures, another category? This issue presented an awesome history about the 1909 showboat Goldenrod. And objects? Evidence about an “object”-the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina's railroad line's Engine No 12-narrow-gauge steam locomotive? So what is the point about all of this? We must continue to inform those who love and read about preservation-that it is not just about the home and building so they can comprehend the full picture of the field. However, it is also a reminder for us that we continue to curate all artifacts, when possible-when feasible, that belong to our amazing heritage.

Best Regards,

Michael H. Gelman