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History for All Seasons: Activities to Take You From Winter to Spring

Posted on: March 8th, 2013 by Priya Chhaya

New York Hall of Science. Credit: bondidwhat, flickr
New York Hall of Science

February is an admirable month. Long past the tinkle of holiday cheer, it encourages gatherings near the hearth, warm drinks in hand, with vistas of hibernating landscapes and stillness. Yet it can feel hum-drum, too; long past the eagerness of a New Year, it becomes a revolving door of sleep, work, eat, sleep.

Thankfully, my February wasn’t completely devoid of historical inspiration:... Read More →

Priya Chhaya

Priya Chhaya is an Online Content Coordinator in the Preservation Division at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A public historian at heart, she sees history wherever she goes and believes that it is an important part of the American identity.

California’s “Russian Village”: Bringing a National Register Listing to Life

Posted on: March 4th, 2013 by Gwendolyn Purdom 4 Comments

Building wall of broken concrete road paving, August 1938. Photo courtesy Blanchard Family.
Building a wall of broken concrete road paving, August 1938.

Buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places are often relics of a vastly different time, cloaked in community legend and dusty ancestral history. For Jerry Blanchard, however, the story behind the National Register-listed cluster of houses that makes up Claremont, California’s “Russian Village” isn’t even a generation removed -- he spent his earliest years there.

So when Blanchard casually mentioned that his father had built a house on the National Register to family friend and California state historian Amy Crain a few months back, the two embarked on a journey to find out more.... Read More →

Gwendolyn Purdom

Gwendolyn Purdom is an associate editor at Preservation magazine. A Chicago native, Gwendolyn is passionate about the people and stories behind historic places – the quirkier the better.

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Historic Real Estate: The Victorian Edition

Posted on: February 22nd, 2013 by Emily Potter 2 Comments

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Front of the historic Albert Sears House in Plano, Illinois, with a wraparound porch that has been restored to its original glory.

Historic Albert Sears House -- Plano, Illinois

Constructed in 1881 for Albert H. Sears, a prominent business man in Plano, this Queen Anne style house has been lovingly restored and professionally decorated and landscaped. The house sits on two acres and is just three miles from Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Farnsworth House, a historic site of the National Trust. Price tag: $449,000

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The 22-bedroom Alfred Dolge Mansion in Dolgeville, New York.

Alfred Dolge Mansion -- Dolgeville, New York

This 12,000 square-foot Victorian was built in 1890 by Alfred Dolge, a well known entrepreneur and namesake of Dolgeville, New York. The original European craftsmanship throughout the 22 bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two living rooms has been carefully preserved. Perfect for residential living, a bed and breakfast, or hosting events. Price tag: $449,900

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Victorian home in Belleair, Florida with three stories, two porches, and many other historic, elegant features.

Charming Victorian Home -- Belleair, Florida

This historic treasure was Henry B. Plant’s residence in 1900. Plant was a famous railroad magnate who developed the historic Belleview Biltmore Hotel and surrounding area. This three-story home is over 4,000 square feet of history, original features, and modern amenities. Price tag: $775,000

Emily Potter is a copywriter at the National Trust. She enjoys writing about places of all kinds, the stories that make them special, and the people who love them enough to save them.

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Add Sabor to the 2013 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places List

Posted on: February 11th, 2013 by Adriana Gallegos 5 Comments

El Camino Real de Terra Adentro

The March 1 deadline to nominate a site to the 2013 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places List is fast approaching. Here at the National Trust, we use this annual list to spotlight threatened historic places from America’s diverse pasts.

In particular, as the Latino population continues to grow, it’s important to recognize the 500 years of Latino historic contributions to this country. Latinos have always been a part of America’s story, from the early Spanish explorers to the accomplishment of the first Latina Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Unfortunately, less than three percent of all the national landmarks that we have -- the highest designation you can receive as a historic landmark -- are about the history of Latinos and other minority groups in the U.S., according to the Department of the Interior. We want to enable America’s diverse communities to see themselves in preservation, and we'll enrich our country by preserving the full range of all American cultural experiences.... Read More →

Adriana Gallegos

Adriana Gallegos is the Blogger Outreach Manager working to inform bloggers and online influencers about the National Trust’s mission. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family both in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Burgos, Spain.

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Historic Real Estate: The Farming Edition

Posted on: January 25th, 2013 by Emily Potter 1 Comment

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The historic farm house in Star, NC.

Spacious Rambling Farm House -- Star, North Carolina

Classic country living, this rambling farm house sits on just over 1.8 acres. Built in 1900, you get all the original features, like 9-foot ceilings, a rock fireplace, and wrap-around front porch, but also more modern amenities, including an eat-at bar in the kitchen and updated wiring and plumbing (thank goodness!). Price tag: $120,000

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The original stone farm house of Michael Rugh (left) and an addition (right).

Historic Farm House of Michael Rugh -- Murrysville, Pennsylvania

Michael Rugh, an early resident in this area of Pennsylvania and a prominent attorney, built the house around 1790. Relax in the family room and look out over three acres of land through floor to ceiling windows, or enjoy the fully loaded master bedroom suite, complete with a private dressing area and spa bath. Price tag: $849,000

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A section of the Bluegrass Farm.

Bluegrass Farm -- Scott County, Kentucky

Bluegrass Farm is a beautiful 118 acres that runs along scenic Route 460 between Paris and Georgetown in Kentucky. It comes with a 16-stall horse barn and Morton building for farm equipment. In true preservation form, the land is restricted from development except for two residences, barns, and any buildings necessary to run the farm. Price tag: $1,770,000

Emily Potter is a copywriter at the National Trust. She enjoys writing about places of all kinds, the stories that make them special, and the people who love them enough to save them.