Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference
Preserve Minnesota - Main Street and Beyond
The 28th Annual Statewide Historic Preservation Conference
Friday & Saturday, September 19-20, 2008
Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota
Come and join us at Carleton College in Northfield for Minnesota’s 28th annual statewide historic preservation conference. This year’s conference will highlight issues of healthy communities, downtown revitalization and survival strategies in tough economic times.
Tour and field sessions will explore Northfield and its environs, the town known for its cows, colleges and contentment. Participants will gain valuable tools and resources to take home and put to work in their own communities.
This conference is the largest gathering of the Minnesota preservation community each year, bringing together historians, architects, planners, public officials, property owners, preservation commission members and citizen advocates from every corner of the state to participate in educational sessions, workshops, tours and networking opportunities.
Sponsored by the State Historic Preservation Office of the Minnesota Historical Society and the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. Hosted by Carleton College, the City of Northfield, the Northfield Heritage Preservation Commission, the Northfield Historical Society and the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the Horace F. and Esther J. Chamberlain fund for Historic Preservation to make this conference possible.
Thursday, Sept. 18
7-9 p.m.—Pre-conference Reception at the Northfield Historical Society, 408 Division St.
For those arriving early, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this 1868 commercial block built for merchant and civic leader Hiram Scriver, which also housed the First National Bank that was robbed by the James-Younger gang in 1876.
Friday, Sept. 19
8-9 a.m. – Registration and Continental Breakfast, Concert Hall, Carleton College
9-10:15 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Session, Concert Hall, Carleton College
Northfield: Making Preservation History for 30 Years
Come learn how historic preservation has been integrated into local planning and development decisions in Northfield. Steve Edwins, longtime member of the Northfield Heritage Preservation Commission and architect with SMSQ Architects in Northfield, will provide a broad overview about preservation and change in Northfield.
10:15-10:45 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m.-noon – Keynote Address
Kennedy Smith, Community Land Use and Economics (CLUE) Group
“Saving Cities: The Role of Historic Places in a Successful Economy”
Kennedy Smith was director of the National Main Street Center from 1991 to 2004, during which Main Street was recognized as one of the most successful economic development programs in the U.S. In 2004 Kennedy co-founded the Community Land Use and Economics (CLUE) Group, a private consulting firm that blends downtown development, land use management and historic preservation disciplines into a cohesive approach to solving community development challenges.
Noon-1:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:15-2:45 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions
Show Me the Money: Leveraging Resources
Gina Ciganik, Housing Development Vice President, Aeon; Dennis Gimmestad, MN SHPO; Bonnie McDonald, Executive Director, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota; Chris Morris, Midwest Office, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Numerous federal and state grant and loan programs provide funds for projects involving historic properties. Although preservation is generally not the focus of these programs, preservation projects often meet program goals. By becoming familiar with these funding opportunities, preservationists can ensure that historic preservation is included as an integral component of community projects.
Starting a Local Main Street Program
Thom Guzman, Iowa Downtown Development Center; Kennedy Smith, CLUE
The Main Street program has leveraged $41 billion in public and private reinvestment in its more than 2,000 member communities. How can your community utilize this successful tool to both stimulate the economy and preserve historic resources? Initiating a local Main Street program is a serious commitment by the entire community. Thom Guzman of the Iowa Downtown Development Center and Kennedy Smith, former director of the National Main Street Center, will walk you though the creation of a successful local Main Street program. How do you garner widespread political, financial and community support for the program in both the public and private sector? How can you create a successful program structure? Learn how to put all the pieces in place to ensure success.
1:00-5:00 p.m. Archaeology by Water: The Cannon River and Environs
(Limited to 17 participants, also offered on Saturday afternoon)
Jim Cummings, MN Department of Natural Resources; David Mather, MN SHPO
Take a canoe excursion on the Cannon River to explore the limestone ruins of the Archibald Mill (1857, 1879) and learn about the landscape, vegetation and regional archaeology along the river. Ten-person canoes are steered by experienced guides—no skill or experience necessary.
2:45-3:15 p.m. – Break
3:15-4:45 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions
Winning Strategies for Heritage Preservation Commissions
Greg Gaut, Winona HPC; Phillip Koski, Former Chair, Minneapolis HPC; Chris Morris, Midwest Office, National Trust for Historic Preservation
One of the most challenging roles for a Heritage Preservation Commission is that of the advocate, whether you are trying to save a threatened structure, support a local preservation issue or change policy. As a regulatory body, commissioners must negotiate their advocacy role very carefully to ensure objectivity and fairness in their decisions, while also promoting sound preservation practices and policies within their communities. Greg Gaut will describe Winona’s struggles to create two local historic districts and the tactics they successfully employed to win public support. Phillip Koski will discuss the importance, and the difficulty, of making defensible decisions on high-profile or politically-charged issues in Minneapolis. And Chris Morris will describe the various forms of advocacy assistance available from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and how they can be used to support the work of HPCs.
Health for the Heart of Town: Main Street
Thom Guzman, Iowa Downtown Development Center; Bonnie McDonald, Executive Director, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
Our Main Street commercial core was historically the center of investment. But as Americans’ purchasing habits change, how can our historic Main Streets remain economically competitive while preserving their historic character? The National Trust for Historic Preservation developed the National Main Street program as an economic development strategy to capitalize on our unique Main Streets. Thom Guzman of the Iowa Main Street program, one of the most successful statewide programs in the nation, will describe how the Main Street program operates with its Four Point Approach ™. Bonnie McDonald will moderate and describe efforts currently underway to reestablish the Main Street program in Minnesota.
5:30-8:30 p.m.— Preservation Alliance of Minnesota Awards Ceremony and Reception
The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is having its annual awards ceremony in conjunction with the conference. Admission is included with the conference registration; check the box on the registration form if you plan to attend.
Saturday, Sept. 20
8-9 a.m. – Registration and Continental Breakfast, Olin Hall, Carleton College
9-10:15 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions, Olin Hall, Carleton College
Simple Building Improvements For (Almost) No Money
Joe Lawniczak, Design Specialist, Wisconsin Main Street
Visible improvements to historic commercial buildings do not necessarily require a large investment of money. There are many simple things—from new awnings and signage, to painting and uncovering long-concealed elements—that can often be done in lieu of a total restoration, and are often just as dramatic. Joe Lawniczak, Design Specialist for Wisconsin Main Street, will show numerous examples of easy, inexpensive and appropriate improvements, as well as some things to avoid.
Podcasts & Websites: Expanding Your Reach
Anne Makepeace, Chair, New Ulm HPC; Tracey Baker, Reference Dept., Minnesota Historical Society
Your historic district has been designated, local partners like the Chamber of Commerce and historical society are eager to help promote your history and resources, yet you do not know how to attract visitors to your community. A walking tour brochure seems like a good idea, but are there other innovative techniques to get information to the public? In this session you’ll learn about several recent projects developed to reach audiences in new, creative ways.
10:15-10:45 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions
From Eyesores to Assets: Rallying Your Community Around Preservation
Connie Lies, Councilmember, Litchfield City Council; Chris Morris, Midwest Office, National Trust for Historic Preservation; Will Stark, Chair, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
There’s a rumor going around your community that a local historic property is being considered for demolition. What do you do? Many of us are introduced to preservation when there is a crisis. This session will guide you in addressing local preservation issues and working proactively to prevent future crises. Learn the components of a successful preservation effort including: gathering information, communicating with decision makers and engaging community members. Hear more about available technical and financial resources, when to form a nonprofit and ways to explore new uses for threatened properties.
Downtown Northfield Field Session
Mark Buechel, MN SHPO; Joe Lawniczak, Wisconsin Main Street
A perfect companion to several of the Main Street-related sessions, this tour uses downtown Northfield as a laboratory to discuss how to use design guidelines and apply the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Explore such varied issues as infill construction, appropriate and inappropriate rehabilitation treatments, signage and sensitive additions to historic buildings.
Carleton College: Maintaining and Preserving the Historic Campus
Clifford Clark, Northfield HPC and Professor of History and American Studies, Carleton College
Enjoy a walking tour of the Carleton College campus to explore the challenges of preserving and rehabilitating historic buildings as new uses replace older ones. See examples of adaptive reuse at Willis Hall (1868-72), Carleton’s first permanent facility; Goodsell Observatory (1887), an astronomical laboratory and one of the nation’s official time stations; and Scoville Memorial Library (1896).
12:15-1:15 p.m. – Lunch
1:15-4:30 p.m. – Tours
Archaeology by Water: The Cannon River and Environs
(Limited to 17 participants.)
Jim Cummings, MN Department of Natural Resources; David Mather, MN SHPO
Take a canoe excursion on the Cannon River to explore the limestone ruins of the Archibald Mill (1857, 1879) that manufactured patented flour, and learn about the landscape, vegetation and regional archaeology. Ten-person canoes are steered by experienced guides—no skill or experience necessary.
Conspicuous Consumption and Rural Preservation (Bus and Walking Tour)
Steve Wilmot, AIA, Northfield HPC and SMSQ Architects
Explore the life and times of Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929), one of America’s foremost economists and social philosophers (who coined the phrase “conspicuous consumption” in his critique of American social classes), through a visit to his National Historic Landmark farmstead (1875) and additional sites that influenced his philosophy of economics.
Northfield Downtown Walking Tour
Steve Edwins, AIA, Northfield HPC and SMSQ Architects
This walking tour, led by members of the Northfield Heritage Preservation Commission, will focus on preservation efforts in and around the Northfield Historic District, including building rehabilitations, sensitive additions to historic buildings, infill construction, streetscape design, the presence of the Cannon River and more.
Campuses and Neighborhoods of Northfield (Bus & Walking Tour)
Michael Koop, MN SHPO
This tour will examine why Northfield has been described as the home of “cows, colleges, and contentment” by exploring the rich agricultural region surrounding Northfield including a stop at the Carleton Airport, the campuses of Carleton and St. Olaf colleges and the city’s handsome buildings in its late nineteenth-century residential neighborhoods.
