Jun
9
Working Life
June 9, 2011 | Comments Off
This is a repost from ages ago, but I think it is still relevant. Good luck to all our graduates. You will be missed!
It’s no secret that graduating students will be entering an intensely competitive job market. When I was laid off from my first job after college, I went to see a guidance counselor at my alma mater, Loyola University. I was considering going back to school at the time and I asked her if I should just focus on school or finding a new full-time job in my previous field and/or just wait tables in the meantime. She have me some very wise advice. She said that no matter what, I should keep a foot in the door of my previous profession (archaeology) or stick a foot in the door of my new area of interest (historic preservation). If it meant volunteering or cobbling together enough jobs I should do it. It looks better than a gap in the resume.
I found a part time job at the Chicago Historical Society (recently renamed the Chicago History Museum) in the no longer extant Prints and Photographs Division (more on that later) and took another job waiting tables, and another job doing catering, and another job doing city tours as a step on-guide (i.e. a tour bus would pull up, I’d step on and give the passengers a tour of the city). I was the woman with many jobs. While I was at CHS, the Curator of Architecture left and they needed someone to cover appointments for researchers so that was left to me. Working in both departments was fascinating, I learned a lot about photography, architecture, archival management, how do to research, the history of Chicago, and the many challenges that museums face. I got to handle original images taken by noted preservationist Richard Nickel who gave his life to the cause, peruse drawings made by architecture giant Louis Sullivan, gaze at photographs of a city that no longer existed, and examine renderings of buildings that were no more. I also met many people in the preservation community who were there doing research. Did I get rich? Heck no. Not monetarily. I was lucky to be able to pay my rent, but, as hokey as it sounds, I got rich in other ways. I met a lot of people, connections that proved useful later on, I learned a lot and having the badge that enabled me to go behind all the super-secret doors and panels was really cool. I mean what preservationist doesn’t alwalys want to go beyond the door that says no entry. Admit it, you’ve peeked in the closets at house museums. I was allowed sanctioned peeping, opening drawers full of images by Matthew Brady, flat files full of drawings by Chicago’s Famous architects, and box lots with stencils from Pullman Cars and on top of it all understanding the mystery that is the Library of Congress classification system. Heck yeah it was worth it.
I left in the midst of a great restructuring where all the collections were assembled into one giant collection to make research allegedly… easier. Sigh. But that’s a whole other story…..
So, before you turn down a job or internship because it doesn’t pay enough, especially when you are just starting off in your career, spend a little time thinking about the other potential benefits of the position and if its worth making it work.
May
19
HSF Preservation Award House & Wine Tour–Tickets Still Available!
May 19, 2011 | Comments Off
HSF Preservation
Award House & Wine Tour
Friday, May 20, 2011 6:00p.m.
Guests are invited to tour four Preservation Award winning homes to taste a red and white wine along with food that has been paired with each wine. The locations are all within walking distance near the north end of Forsyth Park and Monterey Square.
The evening culminates at the Dresser-Palmer House where attendees are invited to learn more about their favorite wines from the houses they visited and enjoy them in a cocktail party setting where they can visit with others on the tour.
Food for the event will be provided by local restaurants:
Bar Food
Cafe 37
Cafe Gelatohhh
Crepe a Diem
The food will be paired with wine from:
Le Chai, galerie du vin
The tour will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the northeast corner of Forsyth Park (near Gaston and Drayton Streets) where guests will check in and receive wineglasses, which will serve as their tickets to the event. (No tickets will be mailed.)
Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased on our website by clicking here or by calling HSF’s office at 912.233.7787.
May
7
National Trust Diversity Scholarship Program Applications Now Being Accepted
May 7, 2011 | 1 Comment
Another opportunity from the National Trust
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Diversity Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for the 2011 National Preservation Conference, to be held in Buffalo, New York, October 19-22, 2011. Applications must be submitted electronically by Wednesday, June 1, 2011.
The Program provides financial assistance to community leaders from diverse social, economic, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to attend the National Preservation Conference. Through interactive sessions, presentations, informal gatherings, and tours of the host city and surrounding areas, participants will learn the necessary tools to strengthen their commitment and effectiveness in preserving historic places and revitalizing communities.
The National Trust seeks culturally diverse applicants whose attendance at the Conference will benefit their communities and whose commitment to historic preservation will be reinforced by their participation. Recipients will have an opportunity to express their perspectives during the Conference and to take advantage of National Trust programs after the Conference.
For program and application information, please visit
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/npc/diversity-scholarship-program/
or contact scholarship@nthp.org
And don’t forget – applications must be submitted electronically by Wednesday, June 1, 2011.
May
6
CALLING ALL PLACES THAT MATTER!
May 6, 2011 | Comments Off
This just in from the National Trust
The This Place Matters Community Challenge is being brought back in 2011 thanks to Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company and National Trust Insurance Services, LLC, who have made This Place Matters (including last year’s Challenge) a huge success!
Click here for more information: http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/this-place-matters/.
What is the Challenge?
The Community Challenge gives your organization a platform on which to declare, This Place Matters! Each organization gets a webpage on PreservationNation to tell their story and rally support from community members. Voting starts on June 1st and the top three vote getters win a cash award!
This year, only 100 places will be selected to participate, and the application period is open from May 2nd at 8am EST to May 13th at 5pm EST. Applicants will be notified of their status on May 17th, and there will be three prizes this year: First Prize – $25,000; Second Prize – $10,000; Third Prize – $5,000. (And while cash awards are a great incentive, we know you’ll agree that the new connections made and the conversations started are the best rewards of all.)
Don’t forget – in order to participate, you must be a 501c3 and submit two high-resolution photos of your project featuring a This Place Matters sign. You can download that sign, here.
You can now submit your application, including your photo and story, here.
Questions? Feel free to email thisplacematters@nthp.org for more information on entering the 2011 Community Challenge and how your participation can help grow and empower your community. We look forward to seeing the place that matters most to you!
May
5
NPS Announces New Sustainability Guidelines
May 5, 2011 | Comments Off
NPS Guidelines Address Sustainability in Historic Buildings
The National Park Service (NPS) rolled out new guidelines to help improve
the energy efficiency of historic buildings while preserving their historic
character.
The Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic
Buildings offer practical advice to building owners, developers and
preservation practitioners. The guidelines show recommended – and not
recommended – approaches to projects, from solar panel installation to
heating and air conditioning upgrades to weatherization and insulation.
The National Park Service’s Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives
Program incentivizes more than $4 billion in private investment in historic
preservation annually. To be eligible for the tax credits, construction
projects must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation. The guidelines are supplementary to the standards.
The new guidelines were developed with assistance from the preservation
community, including other federal agencies, the development community,
state and local governments, as well as private individuals. They are the
latest in a series of NPS publications created by its Technical
Preservation Services Division that offer usable, how-to advice for
historic preservation. View the new guidelines.
http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards_guidelines.htm
Apr
18
It’s Never to Early to Start Planning for Historic Preservation Week!
April 18, 2011 | Comments Off
This just in….(locations will be provided closer to the event)
On Saturday, May 7th teams will gather at each of the HSF Revolving Fund Properties at 8:00am for coffee and doughnuts followed by a few hours of working (picking up and sprucing up) to make sure our properties are clean and ready for sale! The sale of these Revolving Fund properties ensures that HSF has money to save other endangered properties.
HSF is looking for volunteers to help with lot clean-up, litter pick-up, interior cleaning (sweeping plaster, etc.) and more. The day will include breakfast, lunch and a t-shirt! The schedule for the day is as follows:
8:00am: Coffee/Doughnuts
8:30am: Work begins!
11:30am: wrap up on site
12:00pm: Lunch at the Kennedy Pharmacy!
As you can see it is only a few hours and with the help of teams of volunteers we will be able to make a big difference not only on HSF’s Revolving Fund properties but on the block and neighborhoods as well!
Apr
17
Cool way to fufill your SBLUs
April 17, 2011 | Comments Off
This just in (just in case you’re wondering, Talbottom is about four hours from Savannah)….
Places in Peril Preservation Workday
Saturday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Zion Church
Intersection of Washington Ave. and Clark St.
Talbotton, Georgia
Join The Georgia Trust and the Atlanta Diocese for a volunteer workday at Zion Church, a 2011 Places in Peril site. Come enjoy the nice warm weather, get some exercise, and help us make small repairs to the 1848 Tudor-Gothic style church. Be sure to bring a pair of work gloves, and if you have them, paint brushes, scrapers and brushes. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, contact Jordan Poole at jpooleatgeorgiatrust.org or 404-885-7809.
Apr
16
Discover Savannah. Again. Thursday, May 19
April 16, 2011 | Comments Off
Looking for SBLUs? This just in!
Upcoming City project offers a glimpse into historic neighborhoods
The City of Savannah will unveil Ebb & Flow: Life and Community in Eastern Savannah, with a book signing and reception on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 5 pm at Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center, 207 W. York Street. The event is free of admission charges and open to the general public.
Ebb & Flow is the result of a City-sponsored documentation project. Melding research, resident recollections, and the occasional historic image, these projects spur public appreciation of the people and places that have shaped Savannah’s uniqueness.
The Telfair Museums, All Walks of Life, and the City have collaborated on an exciting series of innovative educational programs including,
• A May 19 screening of the Ebb and Flow documentary that involved area young people in the pre- and post- production phases.
• The Ebb and Flow exhibition, which will be displayed from May 7 and July 17, 2011 at the Jepson Center, will incorporate historic images and ephemera.
• The Ebb and Flow lecture series will feature Dr. Martha L. Keber lecturing about “Keep off Jim Crow Cars”: Streetcar Boycotts in Savannah on May 25, 2011, 12:30 pm at the Jepson Center. Dr. Charles J. Elmore moderating a panel discussion entitled, Great Expectations: Baby Boomers in Eastern Savannah on May 26, 2011, 6 pm at the Jepson Center.
• The unveiling of a new online exhibition and iphone application that journey deeper into Eastern Savannah.
“While interest in all things Savannah grows at the regional and national levels, the City continues to use arts and technology in a way that affirms Savannah’s appeal as a unique cultural destination,” said Project Manager Michelle Hunter. “Support from great partners like the Telfair Museums and All Walks of Life have made Savannah’s history accessible by focusing on places long forgotten and people best remembered.”
“Telfair Museums welcomes exhibits like Ebb and Flow to help both the museum and the city in remembering the significant contributions made by its residents during a time where art, technology and culture were adapting to its own growth and progress,” stated Steven High, Executive Director of the Telfair Museums.
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About the City’s Documentation Projects: Two to three years in length, Documentation Projects support preservation, create awareness, and give access to new “voices” in our community. To date, projects have served more than 22,000 persons. Ebb and Flow is the third in the City’s neighborhood history series.
The Ebb and Flow Exhibition and Lecture Series are organized by the City of Savannah and Telfair Museums with generous support from the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Savannah Community Foundation. Additional support provided by AWOL and Live Oak Libraries.
Apr
15
Project Position at National Park Service
April 15, 2011 | Comments Off
Position Description: This project entails work with archival materials in the custody of the National Park Service, a Federal government agency, funded under a cooperative agreement with the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy. The collections consist of textual records, oversize drawings and maps, photographs, books and other printed material. The project is located primarily at Ft. Wadsworth on Staten Island; some work in Manhattan and Westchester County may also be assigned (all locations are accessible by public transportation). The expected completion date of the project is December 2012.
Duties: Reporting directly to the Project Archivist and indirectly to the Lead Archivist, the Archives Technician will be responsible for scanning of historical records; creation of metadata for digital objects; assistance with record-keeping; and routine arrangement, rehousing, description and preservation of historical records.
Schedule: Twenty hours per week, within 9:00-5:00, M-F. Hours are flexible.
Qualifications: Bachelors degree required. Experience in the use of flatbed scanner and metadata systems required. Strong preference will be given to candidates who have completed or are currently enrolled in graduate coursework in archives and in digitization of archival and library materials. Consideration will be given to candidates with comparable combination of education and experience in archives and digitization. Excellent organizational skills and competence in Word, Excel and Adobe Photoshop required. Knowledge of American history highly desirable. Working knowledge of preservation management standards and procedures desirable. Must be able to work efficiently and independently. Must be able to lift record cartons weighing up to 40 pounds.
Compensation: $18.60/hour.
Deadline: Position available immediately. Applications must be received by April 29, 2011.
Contact: Tobi Adler, Project Archivist, National Park Service Manhattan Sites Archives Project. Email cover letter and resume or any inquiries to Tobie_Adleratcontractor.nps.org phone calls or postal mail, please. Responses will be sent only to individuals who are chosen for interviews.
Mar
3
Last SPA Meeting of the Quarter
March 3, 2011 | Comments Off
SPA is holding the last Winter quarter meeting/outing at the Davenport House Museum on Saturday March 5, 2011. We will be meeting there at 4:15 p.m. to participate in “Our Old House: Director’s Preservation Tour of the Davenport House.” The tour costs $18 but SPA will cover a large portion of the ticket if you R.S.V.P. by Friday at 5:00 PM. Let us know if you plan to attend.
The tour starts at 4:30 p.m. and is an hour long.
Brief description of the tour, via http://www.davenporthousemuseum.org
“Acquaint yourself with the preservation and care of the Isaiah Davenport House, recipient of the Preserve America Presidential Award. The museum’s director will lead a tour in and around the home discussing the recent restoration, maintenance issues and techniques for preserving the site for the long term. The tour is limited to twelve people. Patrons will visit areas not normally on tour. The experience will end in the garden with light refreshments.”
Hope to see you there!
The Student Preservation Association