We’re currently reading “The Past & Future City” by Stephanie Meeks, the President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In it, Meeks explains the critical importance of preservation for all our communities, the ways the historic preservation field has evolved to embrace the challenges of the twenty-first century, and the innovative work being done in the preservation space now.
If you want to read along but don’t have the time to get through the whole book, we have provided a summary for each chapter so that you can prioritize your reading and stick to chapters that will excite and interest your preservation spirit!
Chapter 1 & 2 – Inspirational introduction to the book, lots of good discussion about what preservation was and is
Chapter 3 – regulation heavy – it has one of my favorite descriptions of what zoning is, but if that type of things doesn’t get you a bit breathy then skip it
Chapter 4 – very innovative ideas for promoting and achieving reuse of old buildings but it is long and a bit of a slog, skimming for bold headings might be enough
Chapter 5 – Eye opening discussion about inclusive history
Chapter 6 – Addresses Gentrification, quick read
Chapter 7 – Sustainability and preservation, very quick read
Members & friends of Historic Salem Inc are welcome to join us for a fun & engaging conversation about the book on Thursday April 13th at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served.
