I am just returned from the National Trust for Historic Places annual conference in Indianapolis. For a newbie to the historic preservation profession, it was an immersion into what I have practiced much of my career: why does historic preservation matter? Both personally and professionally, I have walked the walk of understanding how important old buildings are and, more to the point, how they can be reused and re-purposed to be vibrant contributions to communities.

The non-profit housing development I founded, Partners In Housing (we called ourselves the patron saint of dumps) reuses vacant and abandoned buildings to house the homeless. The community economic impact is direct and immediate. When taking plywood off windows and cleaning out the accumulated trash, suddenly a building has life. It takes no time at all before neighbors begin to see their community in a new light.
This was much of the theme I found throughout the conference in Indianapolis.

Most exciting was the presentation by the artist organization BigCar which has taken over an abandoned Firestone service center in a failed mall parking lot. Now it has been turned into a vibrant and lively center for the arts and community involvement.

I also participated in a charette of 90 preservationists brought together to re-purpose the former Indianapolis City Hall and I sat in with a team charged with exploring a reuse of this Beaux-Arts building as a boutique hotel. The possibilities were many and the “monetization” (can it make money) of the space was real!

More than anything I came away with the recognition of a philosophy I have always believed in my work of preservation that the gems can take care of themselves for the most part. It is the diamonds in the rough which can yield exciting reuse possibilities. Whether housing or commercial/office/retail space, these not-so-beautiful buildings have a purpose and contribute to our communities. In preserving and finding a viable reuse, we can restore them to the community fabric which cities such as Hartford want going forward.

I would welcome thoughts and comments. We at HPA are exploring new roles and responsibilities as we think strategically about the future of preservation in Hartford. Community participation in the effort is what we want. Please help to guide our thinking.

 I had the distinct pleasure to participate in a luncheon meeting called by Mayor Pedro Segarra “Opportunities Hartford” – the citywide, strategically aligned, collaborative effort to enhance and expand existing educational, employment and economic empowerment opportunities in Hartford. This ongoing discussion and effort to coordinate opportunity for all Hartford residents was established in 2012 to create a pathway to economic independence. The team leaders of each segment gave talks on progress and milestones reached to date. In each area – Education, Employment, and Economic Empowerment -strides have been made to organize leaders from the city to address how to achieve goals. As the new guy, it was exciting to learn that so much good work has been accomplished. This is not a forum to allow people to talk but has actively engaged people to create methods of finding success.

Historic preservation does not leap to mind as a partner in this effort yet I see clear opportunity to make our work integral to Opportunities Hartford. Investment in Connecticut: The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation, a statewide study completed in 2011 suggests that for every $ 100 spent on historic preservation $ 83 goes directly into the pockets of employees. This statistic exceeds other manufacturing sectors in Connecticut. Further, restoring or rehabilitating properties in neighborhoods contributes to overall community economic development. We who want to see the historic fabric of Hartford preserved recognize that creating jobs and sustainable growth are the true outcomes of our work. My point in introducing myself yesterday was to underscore that historic preservation can generate new employment opportunities. We know that renovation requires skilled labor. All too often we field requests for contractors with the experience and knowledge to renovate structures originally built by skilled craftsmen. It is my vision that historic preservation becomes a valued partner in any discussion regarding enhancing community in Hartford.

The Mayor spoke passionately of the work being accomplished to improve Hartford. It was rewarding to hear him specifically mention that historic preservation was a key element in future plans. His leadership is admirable and deserves our attention and support.

HPA’s very own “Tsarina of Tours,” Mary Falvey led a Civil War tour of Cedar Hill Cemetery on Saturday. Mary is currently working on a personal research project to document all of the veterans buried in Hartford cemeteries who served during “the War of the Rebellion” and has just started to blog about it at www.hartfordinthecivilwar.com. The indefatigable group who braved the inclement weather was treated to a walk through history. It can be said that Mary did a great job bringing alive a time when Hartford as well the country was touched by men (and women) as they marched off to war. Of course this history is made more real with the knowledge that Harriet Beecher Stowe, a Hartford resident, wrote “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” which did so much to spark the anti-slavery movement. Indeed Hartford history is entwined with the Civil War. Thanks to Mary’s terrific tour we learned about the lives, loves and defections of people buried in this cemetery.

I had the great pleasure to meet Beverly Lucas who is the executive director of the Cedar Hill Foundation. There is little doubt of her passion for the work as evident when she speaks about the many and varied events on the Foundation’s calendar. Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation’s mission is to preserve, protect and promote in perpetuity the art, culture, history and natural beauty of Hartford’s nationally-recognized (and National Register listed) Cedar Hill Cemetery. The list of events is terrific and ongoing and their Haunted Halloween Lantern Tour plays to sell-out crowds every year.

On Friday I had an opportunity to go once again to Cinestudio at Trinity College, “world cinema since 1970”.  I had the chance to say hello to an old friend, James Hanley, the co-founder of Cinestudio. We have known each other since my move to Hartford in 1972. He is one of Hartford’s quiet treasures who created  a movie theater that is second to none in the country. We talked of the past years since I have been away from Hartford and about the ongoing improvements and changes at Cinestudio. Throughout the years James has been able to keep up with, and in many ways stay ahead of, movie houses by always installing state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. We movie goers have benefited from the small screen, big sound of the theater. I reminded James that it was at Cinestudio where I first saw “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” never imagining the 

wondrous experience of chanting with the dialogue. What a treasure we have.

During the weekend I was engaged in a conversation with a friend who wondered if I wasn’t glad to be so close to New York and Boston to be able to tap into the cultural opportunities found in these two cities. I responded with pointing 

out that Hartford has cultural advantages aplenty, that I feel no compelling argument for travel. Access to theater, dance, music, libraries and art is immediate and everywhere. On most nights I can find an opening, performance or presentation, often multiples. As the fall approaches I plan to secure season tickets to several organizations so as not to hyperventilate on which performance to choose. How very fortunate we are to have such great access to these events. So I can only respond with who needs Boston or New York when right here we are offered such an exciting and profound array of options?

Since returning to this good city I find that I have become an uninhibited cheerleader for what makes me happy to be back. In future blogs I hope to continue to point out what is so good about Hartford. I am troubled by the sense of an apology when talking about Hartford. I am the new guy but an old hand about the city. Rediscovering Cinestudio is one such example. Do yourself a favor and sign up for their electronic notices which can be done online.

It is the first of July and I find it hard to reckon with the summer fully engaged and flying by. Always seems that winter is a struggle to endure and then summer evaporates.

The Alliance has said goodbye to its longstanding and effective Tomas Nenortas. For the past seven years Tom has provided research, information and technical assistance to countless historic properties. Many Hartford residents have relied on his advice to help guide their rehabilitation projects. He has attended all manner of meetings, both public and private, representing the preservation of the nearly 4,500 historic structures in Hartford. He has been the go-to- guy for anyone in doubt about what to do. The board and staff of the Alliance wish him all the best in his next chapter.

Today marks the six-month anniversary of my tenure at the HPA. These past six months have been filled with learning and seeking out how we can be effective in being a robust partner with the City of Hartford. As I have met with lots of people I have shared my vision of historic preservation being the “foundation” upon which community economic development is built. With the rich history of this wonderful city, preserving the past most certainly guides our steps toward the future. “Hartford Has It” starting with amazing historical assets, a story which is second to none. I am excited at the potential of historic preservation playing a role in building communities. In future scribbling I will begin to lay out some steps including resources which I believe can encourage and support renovation and rehabilitation. In meeting with the HPA Executive Director Transition Team to review the past six months, all agreed that the Alliance has much work to be accomplished, yet we are poised to seize the opportunities before us.