Tools

[10 on Tuesday] How to Find a Historic House

Posted on: April 2nd, 2013 by Julia Rocchi 11 Comments

 

One way preservationists can express their love for old buildings: live in one. After all, older and historic homes bring with them craftsmanship, unique details, a sense of history, and -- for the handy among us -- an opportunity to restore a home to its former glory.

But finding and buying a historic home can be daunting if you’re not familiar with real estate, financing, historic building and district regulations, and inspection procedures. So, to set you on the right path, we’re kicking off a series on how to find, inspect, purchase, and rehabilitate your old-but-new-to-you property.

Let’s start at the very beginning with how (and where) to find your historic dream home.... Read More →

Julia Rocchi

Julia Rocchi

Julia Rocchi is the managing editor for the National Trust. By day she wrangles content; by night (and weekends), she shops local, travels to story-rich places, and walks around looking up at buildings.

[10 on Tuesday] How to Write an Op-Ed/Letter to the Editor

Posted on: March 26th, 2013 by National Trust for Historic Preservation

 

Written by Sarah Coquillat, Public Affairs Intern

In our last public relations-focused toolkit, we discussed how to pitch your preservation story to the news media. But if you have a time-sensitive or pressing preservation issue that you want to get in front of readers as soon as possible, then consider writing an op-ed or letter to the editor (LTE) instead. These allow you to express your opinion quickly while still reaching a large viewership.

Below are 10 tips on how to write a successful op-ed or letter to the editor about your preservation project.... Read More →

National Trust for Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded non-profit organization, works to save America's historic places.

[10 on Tuesday] 10 Steps to Start Saving Places

Posted on: March 19th, 2013 by Julia Rocchi

 

We’ve now shared more than 30 Tuesday toolkits on topics ranging from sustainability to social media, but we haven’t yet shared the mother of them all: Saving Places 101.

If you want to protect a place near and dear to your heart, but aren’t sure where to begin, then today’s toolkit is for you. It provides a solid framework for turning your concern for a historic spot into meaningful, lasting action.... Read More →

Julia Rocchi

Julia Rocchi

Julia Rocchi is the managing editor for the National Trust. By day she wrangles content; by night (and weekends), she shops local, travels to story-rich places, and walks around looking up at buildings.

[10 on Tuesday] 10 Tips for Organizing a Community Tour

Posted on: March 12th, 2013 by Sarah Heffern 4 Comments

 

Two days of sunny, 60-degree weather this past weekend has me thinking about one of my favorite warm-weather activities: playing history detective in my hometown. Washington, D.C., where I live, offers an amazing variety of tours, from the neighborhood-centric Capitol Hill House and Garden Tour to citywide Walkingtown DC, and pretty much everything in between.

These kinds of historic tours can be a great way for local history-lovers and preservation groups to bring a community together around beloved places (or the desire to sneak a peek inside that big house on Main Street). Are you interested in coordinating one for your town? Here are 10 tips to get you started. ... Read More →

Sarah Heffern

Sarah Heffern is the social media strategist for the National Trust’s Public Affairs team. While she embraces all things online and pixel-centric, she’s also a hard-core building hugger, having fallen for preservation in a fifth grade “Built Environment” class.

[10 on Tuesday] How to Pitch a Preservation Story to the News Media

Posted on: March 5th, 2013 by National Trust for Historic Preservation

 

Written by Sarah Coquillat, Public Affairs Intern

Historic places have important stories to tell, and it is important to share these with the community and nation at large.

Pitching a preservation story to a reporter -- i.e., alerting them to all the good work you’re doing -- can seem daunting the first time. While you might have an excellent idea, perhaps you don’t know how to approach a reporter or frame your story.

This toolkit offers 10 basic tips to get you started with media outreach. The more you know, the better your chances are for reaching the right media outlets and sharing your preservation story with the wider world.... Read More →

National Trust for Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded non-profit organization, works to save America's historic places.