The Guggenheims and Morgans (of J.P. Morgan fame) financed the construction of the self-contained mining town in the early 20th century and brought in the railroad to boot. It was all to take advantage of a geologic wonder in the mountains above -- one of the richest copper deposits ever recorded.

Kennecott was abandoned in 1938 and relics of the company town were left behind largely intact. The mill town was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978, and soon after was surrounded by the new 13 million-acre Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve. But while the park was being protected for its scenic beauty, most of Kennecott remained in private ownership and was not being maintained.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation first listed the Kennecott Mines among America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 1990, and again in 1991. The listing helped the Friends of Kennecott secure over $500,000 in state and federal funds to stabilize the 14-story mill building, which is by far the most recognizable and photographed structure in the park.

The listing also encouraged the Park Service to preserve and interpret this vital part of America’s legacy. With help from the Conservation Fund and a substantial donation from the successor mining company, the Park Service acquired most of the complex in 1998 and embarked on the daunting task of stabilizing and rehabilitating more than 18 buildings over the next 11 years. 

The National Park Service used the talented local labor pool to not only save costs, but give the community a sense of investment in the resource. Visitors can now tour Kennecott, lodge at the site, and hike to the nearby glacier and mountain slopes to see old bunkhouses, remnants of mining trams, and leftover chunks of the fluorescent green and blue rock that made the mine famous.

According to Steve Peterson, the Senior Historical Architect at the Alaska Regional Office of the National Park Service, "All of the buildings have received new roofing and major structural repair, 10 have been fully rehabilitated, and many have been opened to the public."

As preservation work begins to wind down on the smaller buildings on-site, the Park Service will re-focus in the coming years on the continued preservation of the largest buildings at Kennecott -- for example, the 14-story Mill Building at the heart of the district, the foundation of which will soon be restored.

I loved learning about the home's past from my father as he slowly unearthed its secrets. The small town we lived in was apparently incorporated at a meeting in our house that George Washington himself attended. The property line was marked by a centuries-old, sturdy, dry-stacked stone wall. All fun stories and bits of history. But the stories that I discovered myself were the most intriguing.

One time while I was mowing the lawn I noticed a flagstone peeking out from the grass. Curious about what it was doing there, I cleared away the grass to find it was rather large. I proceeded to poke around the area and see what else I could find. I soon came across another flagstone laid in line with this one just a couple feet away.

I continued my excavations and after awhile had uncovered a flagstone path that started from the back of the house and led out about 75 feet before my mom made me stop. I never did find out where that path led, and sometimes I still wonder about it today. Where did it go? Who put it there? When? How long had it been buried? I was like an explorer uncovering uncharted territory and it was exciting. I wanted to know! I still do.

Old houses tell a story. They have a history. There is something about running your hand down a banister that generations of people have held in their hands for centuries. It gives you a sense of place and time, and a perspective on where you fit in this huge, sometimes impersonal world. You are a part -- a small but important part -- of a much greater story. 

My parent's house has stood there, unmoved and mostly unchanged while the world has changed around it, from colonial struggles of a home on the frontier to a small and burgeoning nation. People living in that house lived through the birth of a nation, the struggles of the War of 1812 when our nation's capital was burned, and the Civil War. They watched as horses and buggies turned to cars and trucks. The world grew up, and the inhabitants of that house watched it all through the wavy glass of its old windows.

A history book contains pictures and stories of what life was like in years gone by -- but those stories are locked within the boundaries of the binding. A museum displays actual artifacts from these times, but they're roped off and safely guarded behind glass.

But walking into a historic house is like stepping back in time and being wrapped up in the pages of that history book, being a part the of the history. As tactile beings, the ability to touch and interact with pieces of history is the most profound way to connect to the times and places they came from.

Each historic home I work on has its own story -- and though I may make my living as a carpenter or tile layer or glazier, I'm really just a reader of homes. Stepping into each old house is like opening a new book. And as I read, I learn more and more until I feel comfortable enough writing my own chapter: leaving my mark along with the artists and craftsman of the past whose work I respect so greatly, and hoping that my own meager contribution will be of a quality they deem worthy of inclusion in their book from so long ago.

A version of this blog post first appeared on The Craftsman on April 24, 2012.

The Mossback Manifesto on Urban Density - Crosscut.com

"I don't think NIMBYs are always wrong. It's not an epithet in my vocabulary. In fact, they often get a bum rap for caring too much at a time when too many citizens don't care enough. NIMBYs are often good folks acting locally and who often know more than the people with clipboards and white boards. That said, I don't think the Not-in-My-Backyard stance is sustainable as a guiding philosophy. I think of NIMBYs like those little crabs you find on the beach that raise their claws when you've turned over their rock."

A Move Toward More Affordable Preservation - SFGate

"San Francisco's policy governing historic preservation districts and landmarks must take into account the financial hardship concerns of property owners and low-income housing developers, pedestrian-safety improvements and development challenges, under legislation given preliminary approval by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday. [...] "San Francisco is a great historic city, but it is not a museum," said Supervisor Scott Wiener, chief sponsor of the legislation."

Historic Preservation and Its Costs - City Journal

"Historical buildings add value, interest, and beauty to cities. Beautiful architecture of the past deserves to be recognized and saved, just as we preserve other types of art. We must also recognize, however, that our cities are not museums but living and evolving centers of commerce and culture."

Can Paul Rudolph’s Architecturally Vital Orange County Government Center Be Saved? - Vanity Fair

"Rudolph, who died in 1997, was probably the finest maker of compositions in three dimensions of modern times; he could put planes and solids and lines and textures and surfaces together in a way that at its best was sublime. Rudolph buildings are like Mondrian paintings turned into space, and when you walk into them, if you can get beyond the fact that they are not warm and cuddly, they can thrill you and, at their best, ennoble you."

A Quiet War on Landmarks, or Fixing the Problems with the Preservation Commission? - The New York Observer

"Is the city’s Landmarks Law broken? To the uninitiated, that would have been the likely conclusion from a hearing held at the City Council today. Eleven different pieces of legislation addressing myriad issues at the commission were debated. [...] The city is under assault from a nanny state stuck in the past seemed to be the clear message. For the large crowd assembled in protest for what turned out to be a four hour meeting, the case was quite the opposite: It was the city’s daring Landmarks Preservation Commission, keeper of the soul of the city, that was under assault."

The factory -- also known as Thomas Edison West Orange Laboratories and Thomas Edison National Historical Park -- landed on the National Trust's "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" list in 1993 because of deterioration and neglect (six of its 12 buildings were closed to the public), as well as for poor planning for the cataloging of millions of original documents related to Edison's work.

Listing the factory buildings on our 11 Most Endangered list turned the spotlight onto this historic complex, eventually paving the way for a six-year, $13 million meticulous restoration of the place where Edison produced over 500 patents and developed his ideas for alkaline batteries, recorded music, and motion pictures. 

Southwick and his team's main challenges during the restoration were to keep the factory buildings as authentic to their original use and look as possible -- while bringing them all up to safety, fire, and universal accessibility codes -- and creating a better educational and interpretive visitor experience.

The end result feels less like a museum and more like a preserved moment in time. Many of the 400,000 artifacts, phonographs, and five million documents were finally brought out of storage. Curators used Edison's photographs as a guide to recreate the rooms just as they were -- many of which now display flickering images of Edison at work. The Invention Factory includes 48,000 sound recordings, Edison's own library of 10,000 books, and archives with 60,000 photographs -- all protected in climate-controlled buildings. Once a year, in June, all of the machinery is turned on, giving visitors an experience not only of the physical place, but also of the sights and sounds of the factory in motion.

Upon donating $5 million to help preserve and restore Thomas Edison's Invention Factory in 2001, General Electric chairman and CEO Jack Welch noted that "Thomas Edison was not only the inventor of the light bulb and the father of GE, his inventions were also critical in developing industries ranging from power generation to sound recording to the movies. It is impossible to imagine the 20th century without him."

And what better way to help preserve that legacy than by taking care of the place where those ideas were first brought to life?

For the last two weeks, as I made my way to two distinctive cities, I wondered what a modern Grand Tour in the United States would be like. What would be the unexpected places that would serve as a window into our culture, our architecture, and our people?

Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward neighborhood.

As I wrote about in an earlier blog post, I spent the last two weeks traveling to Wisconsin and Texas. I'll be honest -- if given a choice, I doubt that Milwaukee and Fort Worth would have been high on my list of intentional personal travel destinations -- but while I was there, each city succeeded in opening my heart in unexpected ways to what they had to offer.

I don't know what expectations I had for Milwaukee -- aside from its robust brewing past and present -- but I'll leave that alone for now and instead talk about its Historic Third Ward neighborhood, replete with converted warehouses, a fantastic Public Market, shops, and a river walk. Added to the National Register in 1984, the neighborhood is made up of enormous brick buildings that used to be centers of manufacturing. While some of the spaces are still vacant, the neighborhood is very much alive with residents, businesses, and creative public spaces.

The Mitchell Park Conservatory.

I also got a chance to visit the Mitchell Park Conservatory. Three mid-century domes replaced the old conservatory (which is probably an interesting preservation story in and of itself) in 1959. They loom high, and house three different ecosystems, each arrayed with a magical array of smells, sounds, and temperatures: tropical, desert, and a show dome for fancy flowers. I took delight in the way the arcing lines of the dome mimick the curve of the earth upon which these plants grow. 

Finally, we took a walk along Lake Michigan where we caught a glimpse of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Architect Santiago Calatrava's sleek white lines blend in with the lake behind it, providing an interesting contrast with the more brutalist/modern concrete plaza -- the War Memorial Center, by Eero Saarinen -- that leads up to it. I don't know how it all works together, but somehow it does.

The Fort Worth Water Gardens.

After leaving Milwaukee I headed south to Fort Worth. I know that many claim that the Fort Worth Stockyards are the place to visit, but instead I ended up spending a lot of my time in the downtown area. This included a walk through the vaunted Fort Worth Water Gardens. Like the Milwaukee Art Museum, the contrast between the fluidity of water against the rugged stonework is comforting. And like most gardens, it is meant to be multi-sensory with the trickling sound of the water providing a sense of solace in the middle of the urban space.

Our meetings for the week were held in two historic houses -- Thistle Hill and the McFarland House -- run by Historic Fort Worth. Both houses, built around the turn of the 20th century, are great spaces that provided the right atmosphere for conversations between preservationists.

Inside the now-closed Heritage Park Plaza.

But perhaps the most exciting view of Fort Worth that I saw was from Heritage Park Plaza. Currently closed for a variety of reasons, this modernist park boasts an excellent view of the river -- and there is something magnificent about what this place could be for citizens of Fort Worth if preserved.

Each of these cities illustrated that there is something that makes them worthy of a spot on a modern American Grand Tour. Each has its own pulse, defining character, and heart. Ever changing, they speak to those who are willing to listen, and offer to those who venture amidst their streets, parks and neighborhoods a glimpse into the vast beauty of place in America.

Built by first-generation settlers from Germany, Poland, Iceland, Russia, and Scandinavia, these structures served as the glue for rural life. By the early 2000s, though, many had seen better days – it was estimated that as many as 400 of the churches were vacant and directly threatened with demolition. Something had to be done.

In 2001, the prairie churches of North Dakota were added to the National Trust's list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. What ensued was a grassroots effort led by Preservation North Dakota that, to this day, works community by community to save these amazing treasures.

The rebirth of these prairie icons is one of hundreds of success stories born out of our annual endangered list. In fact, since its inception in 1988, the list has become one of the most effective tools for saving our country's architectural, cultural, and natural heritage. Of the 234 places that have been listed over the years, only a few have been lost. That's a track record worth celebrating, and this is the year to do it.

2012 marks the 25th anniversary of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. As we prepare for this year's announcement (save the date: Wednesday, June 6), we invite you to follow along online as we spotlight a quarter-century of people saving amazing places. Here's where you can find us:

• Pinterest: Each Thursday, we'll create a board dedicated to a former listing that is back from the brink. Follow throughout the day as we curate tons of amazing photography, all snapped by people who are passionate about that place.
• Twitter: Put your preservation knowledge to the test with trivia tweets about former listings. Keep an eye on hashtag #SavingPlaces for all the action.
• Our Blog: Check back here each Tuesday for a special post on an 11 Most success story. We'll offer insight into how former listings were saved, and of course, some really awesome photos.
• Facebook: Who doesn't like to be in the know? On Tuesday, June 5, we'll offer our fans an exclusive sneak peek at a place to be included on this year's endangered list.

Also, be sure to check out our website, which we've updated with one amazing story per year of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Which of these places inspires you?

Taking into account their greater homogeneity and economies of scale, owners of large buildings have an easier time commanding the capital and the technical support needed for energy retrofits. In contrast, owners of smaller buildings -- which typically have unique and varied characteristics and requirements -- often are not adequately served by financial or technical resources, or by regulatory frameworks designed with larger and newer buildings in mind. The National Trust’s Preservation Green Lab has been committed to advancing the reuse and retrofit of older, smaller buildings though its Older Building Performance Program.

Like the Preservation Green Lab, Living City Block is also committed to bringing new investment to smaller, older buildings. In her article, Greening an Entire Block Instead of Just One Building, The Atlantic Cities writer Emily Badger explains the concept:

"Living City Block's basic concept is simple. Small buildings rarely have the resources to do a serious retrofit. For most of them, the idea is cost-prohibitive. But what if you combined a small building with 10 more like it?"

Could building owners achieve the kind of economies of scale comparable to larger buildings by working collaboratively rather than separately? We're about to find out. Living City Block is currently testing this concept on two blocks in Denver comprised of 17 buildings, 16 of which are historic. The project is expected to see a 50 percent reduction in the buildings' combined energy use.

Check out more green preservation stories after the jump. 

Eco-Conscious Passive Houses Aggressively Hit Brooklyn -- The New York Observer

"The most exceptional thing about the house at 96 St. Marks Avenue is that it doesn’t look exceptional at all. It’s just another redbrick townhouse on a street chock-a-block with redbrick townhouses in a borough crammed with townhouse-lined streets. However, the Prospect Heights house is the the city’s first multi-unit building to be built, or in this case retrofitted, to meet the über-stringent environmental standards developed by the German-based Passive House Institute."

Plaza Diane is a LEED Gold Art Center Converted from a Former Gas Station -- Inhabitat

"Tucked in the core of the small town of Powell in North Central Wyoming is Plaza Diane, a LEED Gold Community Arts Center reclaimed from a modernist 1950s service station. The project is conceived as a home for visual arts and performance to be exhibited in the culturally rich community, but the community went much further by incorporating a host of design elements to significantly reduce the building's impact."

The Leopold Adds Solar Panels on Roof of Historic Building -- Bellingham Business Journal

"One of downtown Bellingham’s most historic buildings has made a modern move by installing a solar panel system. The Leopold Retirement Residence, 1224 Cornwall Ave., installed 36 solar panels on its roof in March. The solar panels are expected to produce between 8,000 and 9,000 kilowatt hours of annual electricity, which is about 10 percent of The Leopold’s power consumption."

Boston to Get Living Lab of Advanced Energy Technology -- Fierce Energy

"Boston will soon be home to a living laboratory of advanced energy technology. The historic 100-year-old building at 5 Channel Center in Boston will undergo a deep energy retrofit to transform into a building technology showcase for clean energy technologies and research to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient building technology."

More Than Just the First Hotel in Europe with LEED Gold Certification -- Treehugger

"Not only is this gorgeous hotel LEED gold certified, it is also located in the perfect spot to relax for a few days, or even to go and work from. Right on the beach of L'Escala, north of Barcelona, near Greek and Roman ruins and amongst pine trees, this building from 1907 has undergone a recent renovation and is now one of the most eco-friendly hotels... […] The hotel generates approximately 1/3 of the energy it consumes and 100% of the electricity is sourced from renewable resources."

Their newest DC office -- located at the corner of 7th Street and New York Avenue, NW -- fits that mold, and brings new life to a prominent corner that has sat empty for over thirty years.

As you'll see below, this new office is a combination of three different buildings. Built at the same time in 1872 for Mr. William H. Dunkhurst for a commercial cigar business with residences above, the corner has also served as the locations for a peanut and candy company, a wine and liquor store, and a stove company -- a fittingly diverse past for a building whose new tenant pretty much does it all.

 
For more great LivingSocial preservation and reuse, check out our post from earlier this year on the company's new Live Events Center located in downtown DC.

Preserving an ornamental iron fence in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo: ncpttmedia on Flickr)

The chat will take place this Wednesday, May 2, from 4:00-5:00 pm EDT. As always, we'll be hanging out at the #builtheritage hashtag. If you're new to the chat, here's how to get involved:

1. Sign in to Twitter, TweetDeck or TweetChat. We (the chat moderators) usually use TweetChat since it adds the hash tag automatically and allows for easy replies and re-tweets.

2. Follow and tweet with the hashtag #builtheritage.

3. Watch for the questions in the Q1 format. Provide answers using the A1 format, and interact with other participants using replies and retweets.

Oh, and what we mean by the Q1/A1 format is this: Questions (we usually have four per chat) are posed by the moderators as Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 about every 15 minutes. We ask that chatters reply with A1, A2, etc. to help everyone stay clear on what they’re responding to. A lot of side conversations and such still break out, but it helps keep things at least a little organized.

See you online on Wednesday!

Golden Gate Park's Historic Windmill Spins Again - San Francisco Chronicle

"The windmill, which stands in the southwestern corner of the park and has been in the process of being refurbished since 2002, is in its final phases of restoration. It will spin with its older compatriot to the north, the Dutch windmill, which has already been restored to its original appearance."

Montpelier: A Lesson in Historic Sleuthing - Old House Web

"Some finds were sheer luck. Bits of wallpaper were found in rats' nests. A photograph that happened to capture a mirror led to an understanding of the way a particular door opened into the house. The look of the original roof became clear with a single wood shingle found in the attic."

Land Swap Planned for Historic Black School - SavannahNow.com

"Central High School was an 'equalization' school that had only black students from 1956 through 1970. Some alumni have been meeting every week for the last year, discussing ways to preserve the school and bring more programs to area residents. [...] Georgia spent $30 million building 500 equalization schools all across the state in the 1950s. It was a massive resistance to integration, trying to prove that schools for blacks could be separate but equal."

Old Tennessee Jail to Become Military Museum - Chattanooga Times Free Press

"The 160-year-old Bledsoe County Jail building likely will never hold another prisoner, but it will offer a home to a military museum and the county's Veterans Service Office. [...] Two years ago, the county was awarded a $17,000 Historic Preservation Fund grant to put toward restoration."

Everyday Hero: Sam Collins III - The Galveston Daily News

"After purchasing our historic property, I was bitten by the preservation and history bug. I began researching my family history and local history. I enjoy learning about American history. I also enjoy helping others to recognize the value of the contributions of African-Americans to our shared American history. I want people to realize that African-American history is American history. African-American history is not more important than any other American history, but it is equally not less important."