Trust News

Our Op-Ed about the Future of Woodlawn, a National Treasure

Posted on: July 27th, 2012 by National Trust for Historic Preservation

 

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, Woodlawn is a 126-acre estate that was originally part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The main Federal-style house was constructed between 1800 and 1805 for Washington’s nephew, Major Lawrence Lewis, and his wife, Eleanor “Nelly” Custis Lewis.

During the Lewis’ years in residence, Woodlawn comprised over 2,000 acres and was supported by scores of workers, at least 90 of whom were enslaved people of African descent. In 1846, the Lewis’s son sold the property to Quaker families who made Woodlawn a “free labor colony,” selling lots to free black and white farmers -- a tremendously controversial social experiment.

Today, Woodlawn -- which is a National Historic Landmark, as well as one of the Trust's National Treasures -- is facing a set of possible threats due to a planned widening or re-routing of Route 1, which currently crosses through the site.

The following is an excerpt from National Trust Executive Vice President and Chief Preservation Officer David Brown's op-ed on the subject in the Fairfax Times:

Woodlawn’s historical and cultural significance cannot be overstated. The 126-acre estate originally was part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and its main house dates back more than 200 years. During the pre-Civil War era, Woodlawn was established as a “free labor colony,” selling lots to both free black and white farmers. The owners of the estate employed only free laborers to undermine the argument that the abolition of slavery would mean the death of the Southern plantation economy. Today, Woodlawn stands as a symbol of liberty and equality that we are honored to help protect for generations to come.

Making difficult choices when it comes to preservation issues is nothing new at the National Trust. Our privately- funded nonprofit is guided by its mission to take on-the-ground action to support and encourage grassroots preservation efforts and protect historic resources when necessary. The National Trust has helped to save and enhance thousands of places across the U.S. since its inception.

As the Route 1 project advances, we are committed to working with the community and the FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] to protect our most valuable asset: our history.

Read the entire op-ed online: Route 1 project leaves no good options.

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.

Architects to Chicago: “Save Prentice Hospital!”

Posted on: July 27th, 2012 by National Trust for Historic Preservation

 

Historic Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago received enthusiastic support from 60 remarkable allies today -- a wide swath of prominent architects from around the world, including Pritzker Prize winner Frank Gehry and MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang.

In an open letter to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the architects cited the historic significance of Goldberg’s Prentice as well as Chicago’s long-term leadership in architectural innovation, and called for creative reuse of the building. Of note from their letter:

“The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently completed a landmark recommendation report documenting the significance of architect Bertrand Goldberg’s Prentice Women’s Hospital. The report confirms what we already believed: that the historic Prentice exceeds the criteria for Chicago landmark designation, that it is truly singular in construction and layout, and that it changed the course of modern hospital design.

As members of the architecture community, we believe Goldberg’s Prentice should be given a permanent place in Chicago’s cityscape. A building this significant – this unique in the world – should be preserved and reused.”

Prentice Women's Hospital -- named a National Treasure earlier this year (remember our Valentine’s Day Show Prentice Some Love contest?) -- has been a Modernist icon in the Chicago cityscape since 1975. Here are some fast facts:

  • Prentice Women’s Hospital was originally built to house Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s obstetrical and gynecological facilities.
  • It was a culminating work for native architect Bertrand Goldberg, renowned for his “corncob” towers of Marina City.
  • His unique cloverleaf design at Prentice helped redefine patient- and family-centered care. It exemplified the belief that patients should be grouped in communities around a nursing center that improved proximity and sightlines between nurses and patients.
  • Prentice also propelled advances in the fields of architecture and engineering with its cantilevered concrete shell, column-free floors, and groundbreaking use of computer-aided design.

As National Trust president Stephanie Meeks noted in the press release:

“This outpouring of support for Prentice Hospital is truly inspirational. The list of architects signing this letter represents many leaders in the field of architecture, and testifies to the depth of national and international respect for the work of Bertrand Goldberg.”

Join these architects in supporting Prentice -- sign the pledge and donate to the campaign!

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.

Help Us Reach Our Membership Month Goal!

Posted on: July 13th, 2012 by National Trust for Historic Preservation

 

Fort Monroe

Everybody has goals -- earn a degree, finish a marathon, travel around the world. And we at the National Trust have one specific goal in mind this month: add 250 new members by July 31.

The number is only part of the story, though. We see National Trust Membership Month as a fitting way to celebrate the incredible work that our supporters help us accomplish. Members are crucial to our cause's success. Whether you are a local preservationist or preservation professional, you help us:

This last part is particularly important to us. What better month than July -- a time when we celebrate America and its rich and diverse history -- to connect with our past on a personal, meaningful level? Historic places connect all of us to our heritage, and our members help us keep that story alive for future generations.

As of today, with two weeks left in the month, we're halfway to our goal -- a remarkable achievement for our cause. But we know we can go all the way. So we're asking you today, if you haven't yet joined, please consider doing so during July and help us realize the great work of saving places.

Membership starts at just $20, and comes with a slew of great benefits, like a 10% discount off the best available rate at Historic Hotels of America nationwide, every time you stay.

But more important, when you join the National Trust, you'll join a growing movement of people like you who care about saving places meaningful to our past. Together we can celebrate and save the places that have made us who we are -- Americans, neighbors, and individuals.

Thank you for your support!

Already a member? Don't worry, you can still help! Donate today or renew your membership.

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.

History and Exploration in Beaufort, SC

Posted on: June 15th, 2012 by Priya Chhaya

 

It wasn't long after my arrival in Beaufort this past Monday that I began to feel a blog post coming on. The trip down from Charleston was punctuated by views of the state's rolling green landscape of marshes, moss-draped Live Oaks, and its infamous palmetto palms. However, it wasn't a particularly nice day and the grey skies danced slowly across the sky, obliterating any sunshine I had been hoping for (yet justifying the decision I made earlier in the day to pack a sweater).


The view of Port Royal Sound is sifted by mossy Live Oaks and Palmetto Palms.

Thankfully things didn't stay that way. And while I wasn't here for a vacation, I loved how I could walk a few feet outside my hotel room and see the bay, open and welcoming. Each day we would stroll into a different neighborhood -- from Pidgeon Point to the Northwest Quadrant -- to get a new view of the city. As happens in many charming communities, it didn't take long to play "what movie was filmed here" and spot the bridge from "Forrest Gump" and the house from "The Big Chill."


Beaufort's historic Bay Street.

And then, of course, there was the history (my favorite part). During a walking tour I learned that because Beaufort and Port Royal were taken early on during the Civil War, many of the homes still stand, and were used as hospitals and homes for soldiers. The historic district is gorgeous and as you walk through the Point you feel nurtured by the dense foliage (and smile at the trees that overhang the roads, marked out with a yellow "low clearance" sign). We saw the Tabernacle African American Church and learned (in perfect timing with the 11 Most Endangered Places announcement) that Smokin' Joe Frazier was born in Beaufort.

Why was I in Beaufort, SC? This last week was the latest Preservation Leadership Training (PLT). Over the course of one week a group of preservationists from Canada to Georgia gathered to learn about development tools and financing. Like all PLT's they learned by doing, using case studies and tangible buildings and places to come up with preservation solutions.

Priya Chhaya

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.

[Interview] Poet Nikki Giovanni on the Importance of America’s Rosenwald Schools

Posted on: June 14th, 2012 by David Garber

 

Nikki Giovanni is a widely-read American poet, equality activist, professor of English at Virginia Tech, and the keynote speaker at this week's National Rosenwald Schools Conference. Built over the past 45 years, her collection of poetry is some of the most influential on issues of black American culture and experience.

We are excited for her to lend her voice to the issue of preserving the Rosenwald Schools -- the 4,977 mostly humble buildings paid for by businessman-turned-philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and built by community members throughout 15 states between 1912 and 1932, specifically to educate black children.


Left: A Mural of Giovanni's "Revolutionary Dreams" poem on 113th Street in Los Angeles.

I had the opportunity to ask Nikki Giovanni some questions leading up to her time at the conference. Take a look below, then tune in on Twitter on Saturday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m. CDT, where we'll live-tweet her plenary session from our @PresNationLive account.

What were your first feelings or takeaways after learning about the history of the Rosenwald Schools?

As a history major at Fisk University I was, of course, aware of the Rosenwald Schools and their marvelous history. I remember thinking how wonderful that people reached out to help the newly freed folk who had the desire and the talent but were not given the tools. I consider the Rosenwald schools right up there with the Carnegie Libraries: something needed to help those who had been denied not just an education but a personhood to begin to emerge from the shadows.

What do you find most compelling about the schools?

The most compelling aspect is still the correct reason: a people without access to education cannot go forward. The Sears/Roebuck family [Julius Rosenwald was the president of Sears until 1924] were terrific partners as many in the black community felt that Roebuck was a black American and was simply giving back to those who had helped him.

The Rosenwald Schools are important, but off the radar for many Americans. What actions do you think would better get them into the public eye?

A lot of black history is off radar, as is a lot of white history. Why do we have classic films of gangsters but not union workers? Why does every kid in America know Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Billy the Kid and any other robber and thief but not A. Phillip Randolph and the great story of the Pullman Porters? The only cure for ignorance and hatred is education and truth. Words are as meaningful as places.

Who or what do you hope the Rosenwald Schools inspire?

I hope these schools remind us what our ancestors have endured to bring us this far. It has been a good journey, but we still have a ways to go.

David Garber

David Garber

David Garber is the Coordinator of Blog Content & Outreach at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He is a native of Washington, DC, and loves the intersection of preservation, innovation, and sustainability.