Keeping our Place: New Realities for Historic Preservation in New Hampshire

Join the Alliance for our biennial statewide preservation conference in Concord, focusing on new realities for preservation amid changes in our state's economy, population, climate, and energy needs. Be part of exciting presentations and discussions about what those changes mean for the preservation and protection of our historic buildings and community character, and share your thoughts on what you think should be included in the next Five Year Statewide Preservation Plan. Registration opens at 8:30am; conference runs from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Enjoy a plenary session and your choice of nine breakout sessions throughout the day, as well as lunchtime walking tours and small group discussions. Registration includes a cash bar reception from 4:30 - 6:30 at the elegant New Hampshire Historical Society less than a block away from our home base at the Concord City Auditorium.

Scroll down for full program.

Cost: $50 for members, $65 for non-members. $70 conference special: 1 year indivdual membership plus conference. $25 student (with valid ID). Order a box lunch for an additional $10 or bring your own. Early bird rates in effect through April 1 so register now!

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Jennifer Goodman at 224-2281 or jg@nhpreservation.org.

Cancellation policy: Full refund through April 1, less $10. April 2-10, 50% refund less $10. No refunds thereafter. Substitutions accepted with at least 24 hours advance notice.

On-line registration is now closed but there are spaces left. Call us at 603-224-2281.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

(AIA credits are available)

8:30 – 9:30 Registration and Coffee at Concord City Auditorium, 25 Green Street (entrance on Prince St.), Concord, NH

9:30 – 10:40 Welcome and Opening Plenary

Kathy Bogle Shields, Chair, Board of Directors, N.H. Preservation Alliance; Byron Champlin, Chair, Board of Directors, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce; Jennifer Czysz, AICP, Principal Planner, Nashua Regional Planning Commission and Program Manager, A Granite State Future; Lorraine Merrill, Commissioner, N.H. Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food; and Steve Norton, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies

10:40 – 10:45 Brief Remarks from Elizabeth Muzzey, State Historic Preservation Officer, NH Division of Historical Resources

10:45 – 11:00 BREAK

11:00 – 12:15 BREAKOUT SESSION 1

1A. Saving the Scenic Landscape

Our rural and scenic landscapes are a key element of how we define our state and are closely tied to our economic prosperity. Learn about recognition and protection strategies for preservation of the historic landscape, state and federal review processes, and the importance of citizen input.

Elizabeth Durfee Hengen, preservation consultant; Roger Larochelle, Squam Lakes Conservation Society; Rebecca Harris, National Trust for Historic Preservation; and Nadine Peterson, NH Division of Historical Resources.

1B. Creative Revival: How Historic Buildings Can Help Make Vibrant Places and Expand the Economy

Downtowns are coming back. Their strong individual identity, collective memory, and their many historic buildings and structures are essential components of main streets everywhere, attracting people and offering services and environments that the strip malls and big box stores can’t match. What are the issues and opportunities in rehabilitating downtown or village center properties and what is the role of arts and culture in that process? How do we respond when things get stuck? Stuart Arnett, A Better Future Alliance L3C; Michael Petrovick, Catlin + Petrovick Architects; Byron Champlin, Concord City Council.

1C. Trends and Opportunities for Historic Houses and Museums

For years, national leaders have been talking about the crisis in historic house museums. Yet declining visitation, escalating maintenance and preservation challenges, and the lack of resources to accomplish all that needs to be done have not led to wholesale change—yet. Hear about new uses and models for historic houses and historical societies, and then do some small-group evaluation of several hypothetical case studies. Participants will be encouraged to consider the application of different approaches to their own situation. Ben Wilson, N.H. Bureau of Historic Sites; Heather Mitchell, Hopkinton Historical Society; Lawrence J. Yerdon, Strawbery Banke Museum.

12:15 – 2:15 WALKING TOURS AND LUNCH BREAKOUT SESSIONS

(pre-order box lunch or bring your own; there will be 2 or more sections of each tour)

Tour 1 Community-wide Preservation Planning in Action

A tour to see and hear about examples of the use of rehab tax incentives to enhance and revitalize downtown Concord. Participants will also see an example of how the demolition review ordinance was used and hear how the city factored in historic resources as part of the planning process for its upcoming redevelopment of Main Street. Liz Durfee Hengen, Preservation Consultant

Tour 2 Downtown Development: Issues and Opportunities

A tour to see examples of re-use opportunities for upper floors, how the city factored in historic resources as part of the planning process for its upcoming redevelopment of Main Street, and the role of arts, culture and food in reviving downtown. Fred Richards, Concord Heritage Commission

Tour 3 A Sampler of Non-profit Preservation Projects

A tour to see how several non-profits have rehabbed, repurposed and re-energized their operations within historic buildings. Examples will include the conversion of a historic church to office space, the re-use of residential space for a Women’s Club and short-term housing, and on-going preservation efforts by a downtown church. A separate tour might visit two highly elaborate historic houses now used by arts organizations. Phil Donovan, Concord Heritage Commission

Tour 4 Understanding the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards in Community Landmark Projects (limit 10 people per group). As advocates work to keep historic buildings in service, they are often called upon to adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. In this small, hands-on workshop, participants will work with actual plans to evaluate examples and gain insight into how the Division of Historical Resources and LCHIP determine compliance. Peter Michaud, NH Division of Historical Resources; Jenna Lapachinski, LCHIP; James L. Garvin, former state architectural historian

2:15 – 3:15 BREAKOUT SESSION 2

2A Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Cultural Resources

Why should we care about disaster planning and climate change? Because the historic places and sites we work to preserve will experience threats at some point from increasingly extreme storms, river flooding, sea level rise, and possibly other disasters. While we can't prevent these occurrences, we can begin to assess risks and prepare responsible mitigation or adaptation strategies. There might even be funding to do so. Edna Feighner, Mary Kate Ryan and Amy Dixon, NH Division of Historical Resources.

2B Getting People Talking: Media, Marketing and Communications

Behind every successful preservation project is someone who understands how to communicate effectively. As we work to cultivate younger audiences and retain existing ones, we need to understand how to shape our messages to appeal to diverse perspectives and interests. What can you do to energize your supporters and engage new ones? Hear about two creative new initiatives and learn how to optimize your communications program to enhance support for your preservation work. Build understanding of preservation, inspire action, and celebrate success—make smart communications a key part of your preservation strategy! Jayme Simoes, L. Karno & Co; Meg Campbell, Preservation Trust of Vermont; Mike Desroches, Plymouth State University Center for Rural Partnerships.

Session 2C: Marketplace Realities: The Construction Process

So you want to save and rehabilitate a historic building! You’ve had a conditions assessment, raised some money, and have basic plans and recommendations in place. Now what? To be an effective partner in the construction phase of a project, you’ll need some knowledge of the construction industry and how it works. From permits to payment schedules to punch-lists, this session will cover the essentials elements and highlight the key roles of architect, owner or developer, engineer, lenders, and others. The focus will be on construction management, issues such as energy efficiency and building code compliance, and financing. Frank Lemay, Milestone Engineering & Construction; John Jordan, architect; Mary Mattson, Bank of New Hampshire; Matt Walsh, City of Concord; Mark Ciborowski, developer.

3:15 – 3:30 BREAK

3:30 – 4:30 BREAKOUT SESSION 3

3A. Innovative Preservation Planning: Why Modern Codes and Regulations Defeat Preservation

We all play a part in adopting the guidelines that define our buildings and communities. But if you want innovative living and mixed-use models, typical zoning and building codes adopted over the past 50 years often work against the very patterns of development that made our cities and towns vibrant and attractive in the first place. Two recent rounds of innovative zoning grants have yielded some promising new directions in our state. As citizens, planners, architects, landscape architects, and preservationists, we are responsible for putting in place guidelines that allow our communities to respect and maintain our heritage and develop as attractive, healthy, vibrant places in the future. The call for forward-thinking planning is upon us! Karen Fitzgerald, Landscape architect and land planner; Roger Hawk, Hawk Planning Resources; Robin Leblanc, PlanNH.

3B. Celebrate, Assess, Plan, and Inspire: Preservation in New Hampshire

In this interactive session, participants will share their recent preservation success stories, reflect on the current state of preservation in New Hampshire, and identify the tools and resources that are needed to meet ongoing and emerging challenges. Your input will help set the state’s strategy for the next five-year state-wide preservation plan.

Amy Dixon and Laura Black, NH Division of Historical Resources and co-editors of NH's next 5 year statewide preservation plan.

3C. Grants and Fundraising Roundtable

Every preservation project requires funding, and the more you know about how to make your case and acquire support, the greater your chances of success. Our seasoned experts—representing grantmakers, donors, and campaign strategists— will share their different perspectives on how to position your project for success in fundraising, and then answer your questions about finding the most effective mix of income sources to meet your project goals. Bill Dunlap, New Hampshire Historical Society, Dijit Taylor, NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP); Taylor Caswell, NHCDFA.

4:30 – 6:30 RECEPTION at the New Hampshire Historical Society (Cash Bar)

30 Park Street, Concord (1/2 block from conference)