Dear Colleagues:

The importance of volunteer efforts to the historic preservation movement cannot be emphasized enough. Since the very beginnings of the movement in 1850’s, when Ann Pamela Cunningham and the Mount Vernon Ladies Association rallied to save George Washington’s estate Mount Vernon, the unpaid efforts of untold thousands of volunteers have been required to preserve the significant historic buildings that are such an integral part of sustainable livable communities.

Volunteer efforts are no less important today then in the past. Architects in historic preservation practice recognize the importance of participating in community efforts to save important buildings. Civic engagement is of critical importance to the career of a historic preservation professional. You will find there is a place for everyone to contribute. During these difficult economic times, volunteer efforts are even more effective and necessary.

This issue of Preservation Architect contains a number of examples of how AIA HRC members have found ways to volunteer in service to their communities. The stories illustrate the critical importance of AIA HRC members getting involved to promote historic preservation at the local, state and national level.

We hope that you will find in this issue of Preservation Architect the inspiration necessary to venture out into your community to save or document a significant historic building threatened by demolition, and to promote historic preservation among your neighbors and fellow architects. We ask that as you work within your communities, to please document your efforts and forward your stories here to Preservation Architect so that they may be used to inspire others.

Share your experience so that your peers and our emerging historic preservation professionals can learn from your efforts successful strategies to use to help protect our nation’s cultural legacy. Please forward your stories to Preservation Architect using the contact information provided below.

James J. Malanaphy, AIA

Chair Communications and Publications Subcommittee

AIA HRC

651-367-9001 | jjmalanaphy@gmail.com