By: Alison Frazee, Director of Advocacy

Over the past year I have shared a series called Preservation Is HERE that outlines some of the many aspects of the work we do as preservation advocates: Housing Access; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Representative Development; and Environmental Action.

Because our work dovetails with so many other professional fields, we value and rely on collaborations. GPL is a member organization of the National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the historic preservation movement and supporting those who do this work. Through this national network, we’re connected with an amazing cross-sector of advocates, architects, developers, tradespeople, urban planners, elected officials, and so many more. We learn from other nonprofit leaders, share ideas and templates, and support each other through the ups and downs of preservation work.

Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia to participate in NPPN’s Spring Retreat! Not only did I get to explore historic Philly for the first time, but spring had sprung and the neatly gridded streets and squares had blossomed with all the greens, whites, pinks, and yellows of the new season. I felt rejuvenated and inspired, and brought home new connections, perspectives, and ideas.

One of the most memorable moments was a presentation by President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Carol Quillen. Carol shared updates on the Trust’s lawsuit about the East Wing of the White House and some of their other efforts. There was a good discussion about the Trust’s role in national preservation leadership, and how other efforts can reinforce those of the Trust. I was able to present the national slogan that I helped advance, “This is Historic,” which will be used across the country starting May 1st.

Two takeaways have been front of mind for me since the retreat:

We got to spend a day with Partners for Sacred Places- a nonprofit that provides services to preserve historic places of worship. They have a passionate and knowledgeable team and have supported nearly 1,000 congregations navigate the complex needs of aging historic churches, chapels, synagogues, and other houses of worship. We toured two church buildings in downtown Philadelphia and learned about their different approaches to preservation. One, Tindley Temple, is an active congregation that runs an amazing café in the church basement (best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever had) to help support their efforts. They are opening an archive that will share the history and stories of this important historic site. The other is being utilized as a community support center, called Broad Street Love, with medical care, food and clothing banks, and mailboxes for those without a permanent address, and much more.

Greater Portland is home to hundreds of congregations and many are facing mounting maintenance costs on their historic structures. I would like to bring those groups together, with Partners for Sacred Spaces, to share resources and ideas, support each other, and find solutions that keep these special places open and in use, strengthening their communities, for generations to come. Let me know if this type of service would be useful to your congregation: afrazee@portlandlandmarks.org

The other takeaway, a concept that I’ve been noodling since the retreat, is about proactive visioning. The status quo in the preservation community, since the time when many preservation nonprofits were founded 50-60 years ago, is to respond to a threat of demolition. A community learns that an owner or developer plans to demolish a place of significance and then a rallying cry brings people together to push back. Often, by then, it is too late. GPL understands this deeply since we were founded in reaction to the loss of Union Station here in Portland. Two colleagues shared success stories in their communities that were achieved by offering visions for how historic buildings could be retained and modified to meet the needs of upcoming projects very early in the process, rather than responding to designs already fully formed. We know the value of proactive engagement.

Preservation is HERE, it’s now, it’s the future. I’m excited to incorporate much of what I learned in Philadelphia into the work we’re doing here at GPL. I hope that you will join us, not only as a supporter or Business Partner, but as a participant in our programs, campaigns, and calls to action. My door is always open so please reach out with your ideas and concerns any time.