Let Your Voice Be Heard In Washington January 7, 2009
Posted by history in : Advocacy, Lobbying, Public Policy , add a commentThe following message was posted by Kristen Harbeson, the State Services Director with the National Conference of Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO).
It is very timely, I was listening to the radio this morning about our state budget crisis. Funding cuts are coming. Despite the massive body of evidence that attests to the power of preservation to revitalize communities, historic preservation is often one of the first programs on the chopping block. I remember testifying before the budget committee a few years ago in Wisconsin. It was pretty grim and that was before the economy’s latest downturn. It is important that we let all our elected officials know how important preservation is. In addition to fill out the survey below, I encourage you to visit the Web site of Preservation Action, the historic preservation. You can also become one of their supporters on Facebook. In the meantime, let your voice be heard.
In the week between Christmas and New Year, I sent out an e-mail to this and a few other lists to encourage people to participate in the www.change.gov open forum. Since then, there has been a good response, including the addition of many other excellent questions in favor of Historic Preservation (as well as at least one that is very anti-preservation).
If you have not yet voted, please do so and spread the word to all your preservation networks to encourage them to do the same.
If you have voted, please check back and vote on any questions that have appeared since your last check.
WATCH OUT, though, for the sneaky question that talks about Historic Preservation as a “Land-Grab” to benefit the rich.
Here are the steps to take:
I encourage you to make the Preservation voice heard by taking just a few minutes to do the following:
1) Go to http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions20081229/
2) You may need to sign in or create a username.
3) There is a box that allows you to “Search Questions.” Type in
“Historic Preservation.”
4) Click the check on each of the questions to indicate that you
think they are important questions.
It takes just a few minutes, and may make a difference in the reception of your preservation advocates when they approach the new administration. If you submit preservation questions, you may want to let us know so that we can continue to spread the word to make sure your issues are addressed on Capitol Hill and in the White House.
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS IN THE ADIRONDACKS January 5, 2009
Posted by history in : Internships, Opportunities, Places , add a comment….at Great Camp Santanoni
Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) is the regional non-profit, historic preservation organization for New York State’s Adirondack Park. With a mission to promote better public understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the region’s built environment and with a very active staff, board, and membership of 1,000, AARCH fulfills its educational mission by annually sponsoring tours, workshops and slide presentations, by providing technical assistance, and through advocacy efforts. In cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), AARCH also manages Camp Santanoni, a National Historic Landmark, Adirondack Great Camp in Newcomb, New York. In 2009, AARCH has three internship positions available at Camp Santanoni.
Camp Santanoni is located within the 12,900 acre Santanoni Preserve and consists of: a Main Camp complex, a collection of fine, rusticbuildings situated on secluded Newcomb Lake (Main Lodge, leftGate Lodge complex at the entrto the preserve; and an early 20th century, model farm. Built, beginning in 1892, for Robert and Anna Pruyn of Albany, in its time Camp Santanoni was the largest ofthe Adirondack “Great Camps” was host to Theodore Roosevelother prominent guests. After being acquired by New York State in 1972 and added to the Adirondack Forest Preserve, Santanoni sat vacant and neglected for more than twenty years with an uncertain fate. Recently, the State of New York committed itself to preserve Camp Santanoni and uit for public educational and recreational purposes. Planning for this is now well underway and conservation work is underway at several sites.
Three internship positions are available this summer at Camp Santanoni. Positions 1 & 2: Two interns will work at Santanoni’s Main Camp and will be primarily responsible for meeting and greeting the hiking public who visit Santanoni, interpreting the camp to the public, and participating in the ongoing restoration work there by working with Santanoni’s “builder-in-residence” and volunteers. In 2009, the primary project is the ongoing restoration the exterior of the Main Lodge and this will include staining the logs walls and porch components, reglazing and painting windows, and undertaking other discrete
conservation projects. Position 3: The third intern will be placed at Santanoni’s Gate Lodge and be responsible for greeting the public, interpreting the Gate Lodge and farm, helping to oversee volunteer work, operating the Gate Lodge as a small visitor’s center, and developing future programs and exhibits and support for Camp Santanoni through the Friends of Camp Santanoni. Other special projects for the summer will include training and supervising small groups of volunteers. Interns may also be rotated between the various responsibilities at the camp.
The Main Camp at Santanoni is a 4.9-mile hike/bike from Santanoni’s Gate Lodge near the hamlet of Newcomb. Interns should be in good physical condition in order to be able to routinely travel between the Gate Lodge and Main Camp and to handle the physical work required at the site. Applicants should also have some outdoor experience and be comfortable working in this wilderness setting. Although there will be support from AARCH staff, local townspeople, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation rangers and nterns will reside at the Gate Lodge, which ilocated near the hamlet and has all the modern conveniences.
Intern working with master builder Michael Frenette and InLandmark Volunteers at Santanoni.
The Camp Santanoni interns will be expected to work approximately 40 hours per week over a sixday workweek. A $3000 stipend will be provided. Applicants should be in an historic preservation, environmental studies or related field, enjoy the outdoors, be motivated and independent and work well with the public. Contact AARCH forfurther information, if desired. Some additional information about Camp Santanoni and AARCHis available at www.aarch.org
To apply, write to Steven Engelhart, Executive Director, Adirondack Architectural Heritage, 17 Main Street, Civic Center, Suite 37, Keeseville, NY 12944 or by calling (518) 834-9328 or by emailing steven@aarch.org. Submit a resume, cover letter, and sample of your work. Explain why you’re interested in the position, describe your educational background and work history, and discuss yoqualifications for these internships. Application deadline is March 15, 2009 but some positions may be filled as good applicants come forward prior to that, so apply ASAP. If you wish to apply after that date, call to inquire if the position is still available