New York Statewide Preservation Conference workshop.
The history of the historic preservation movement formally starts with Ann Pamela Cunningham in the mid-1800s, evolves with Jane Jacobs in the mid-1900s, and leads us to preservation today. Somewhere along this continuum of time historic preservation has become disconnected from being a social movement, it has become a movement that is associated with economic value and profit – not people. As we reflect and make the steps to create a more equitable movement (both in the profession and practice) we must reimagine preservation and rewrite the history of historic preservation. Workshop participants will learn about lesser recognized BIPOC preservationists who have influenced the movement and discuss lessons we could learn from their work in shaping our practice.
Participants will then be led in a facilitated discussion on how the preservation practice and profession could evolve, and share stories of people who have influenced preservation in our communities, while creating banners to advocate for themselves and be activists for change. You’ll be empowered to create protest banners to advocate for forgotten advocates of the built environment’s past, express why people should care about preservation today, be a rally cry for a shift someone wants to see in preservation, or something else entirely.
After the workshop participants will be encouraged to share a photo of their banner for a virtual “parade.”
Materials: Each participant will be mailed a pre-hemmed banner (with hanging loops), felt, selection of iron-ons, a glue pen, a needle, and a skein of embroidery floss. + you’ll receive a digital stencil pack. Participants will get to select in advance their banner from a variety of colors and patterns.
Skill level: This workshop is all creative/craft skill level accessible.