FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE:
CONTACT:
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E-MAIL:
OR
CONTACT:
PHONE:
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03/06/2014
Janet Kreger, MHPN Conference Co-Manager
734-222-9310
kregerj1981@att.net
Nancy Finegood, MHPN Executive Director
(517) 371-8080
finegood@mhpn.org
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34th Annual Statewide Preservation Conference
May 14-17, 2014, Commonwealth Commerce Center, Jackson, Michigan
LANSING, MI: Titled “Michigan Places Matter: Discovering how your community’s cultural
resources can make your placemaking unique,” the 34th annual conference presented by the
Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN), takes place May 14-17 in Jackson.
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(1,045 words)
The Michigan Historic Preservation Network is pleased to bring its 34th annual statewide
preservation conference to the City of Jackson for the first time. Anticipating 400
participants for the four days of conference programming, MHPN leaders are enthusiastic
about having people from around the state and the Midwest gather in Jackson. “The history
of Jackson is a long and rich one,” states Melissa Milton-Pung, MHPN President. “The city –
located at the intersection of major Native American trails and later the junction of major
railroads – became a center of industry, culture, recreation, and noteworthy
architecture. We’re looking forward to being there.”
Michigan State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Conway notes that the conference is
offering its usual array of excellent educational sessions, adding that the program aligns with
Governor Rick Snyder’s common sense approach to placemaking. “The MHPN always has
advocated that ‘place’ is best created using the historic architecture found in your
community. These buildings and structures and sites – oftentimes found together in striking
districts – give your community its distinctive appearance. That’s certainly true in Jackson.”
“Our speakers are experts in their fields,” continues Nancy Finegood, MHPN Executive
Director. “Our five tracks of programming provide attendees with the knowledge they need
to give shape to their own preservation efforts. For example, Track One showcases all sizes
of Michigan communities and inspirational projects representing the conference theme.”
Restoration of the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall, the Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater, and
the Bohm Theatre in Albion is discussed in the session titled “Small Communities, Big
Projects.” From the City of Detroit comes the session “Reviving the Motor City: Four
Perspectives on Preservation and Rehabilitation.” And “Claire Allen: A Regional Architect
Master Based in Jackson” highlights the architectural genius of the host city’s adopted son.
Track Two looks at the skills needed for success. The MHPN again offers its ticketed
workshop titled “Incentives for Successful Preservation Projects.” Always a sell-out, the
MHPN “Michigan Places Matter”
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session provides an in-depth discussion of Governor Synder's "Community Reinvestment
Program." Speakers review how well preservation projects compete within the program and
discuss the power of combining it with other incentives to help secure conventional
financing. In other sessions, experts study the assistance programs available for rural
preservation, the challenge of right-sizing, and landbanks as allies of preservation.
Overseen by the MHPN’s Historic Resource Council, Track Three looks at techniques for
restoring historic properties. Sessions have lectures and demonstrations on how to work
with historic brick and stone masonry, restore historic lighting fixtures, and preserve the
fragile and often experimental materials used in Michigan’s Mid-Century Modern buildings.
From Jackson comes the session titled “Reviving an Unusual Building Type: The Prison,”
telling the story of saving and repurposing the first State of Michigan penitentiary as artists’
housing, studios, and exhibition space.
Track Four includes the efforts of two of our partners. The Michigan State Housing
Development Authority’s State Archaeologist uses the session titled “Archaeology and
Place-Making in Detroit” to show that the unrecorded past sometimes is best at connecting
us with a complex urban environment. During an off-site session titled “The Hidden World of
the Archaeological Laboratory,” the local Commonwealth Cultural Resources Group hosts
participants for an afternoon with professional archaeologists. Another partner, the
Michigan Barn Preservation Network, presents sessions exploring such topics as revitalizing
historic barns for new purposes.
Track Five offers tours of our host community. “From Jacksonburg to Jackson: A Brief Tour
of a Long History” is this year’s city tour. During “Church and State: The Jackson
Experience,” guests visit three of the city’s spectacular churches and the County Tower, all
featuring noteworthy stained glass windows. Those hopping on the bus for “Jackson Parks:
History, Culture, and Open Spaces” and “Jackson Railroad History and Sites” get an indepth review of historic resources key to Jackson’s importance. And during “The Heart of
Jackson’s Downtown: An Evening Walking Tour,” guests discuss efforts to keep the center
city vital.
Saturday morning’s workshop - “Today’s Historic District Commission: Doing More with
Less” - considers the challenges faced by local preservation commissions with dwindling
budgets. Saturday also features a program for those contemplating taking on a preservation
project, “Building Condition Assessment: Knowing What You’re Working with Before You
Start!” After an in-seat presentation, participants visit a building undergoing restoration to
apply what they have learned.
Elaine Robinson, an MHPN past president and local planning group member, looks forward
to hosting attendees. “In addition to great programming, there are many special events,”
she enthuses. Wednesday’s all-day tour is the fourth in the MHPN’s “Great Michigan Road
Trips” initiative and is titled “History, Culture, and Kitsch: A Cruise along US-12 through the
Irish Hills.” Thursday evening features the Vendors’ Showcase and Community Open
House and the popular Preservation Pub Crawl. Friday offers a lunch with Jackson Mayor
Jason Smith and the 2014 MHPN Scholars; the keynote address presented by Ronald
Bogle, President and CEO of the American Architectural Foundation; and the Annual
Preservation Awards, this year held at the stunning Michigan Theatre of Jackson.
Throughout the conference, guests can bid on auction items, vie for a great raffle prize, pick
up must-have books at the “Half Ton Used Book Sale,” and enjoy the Second Annual
Preservation Film Festival.
313 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48906
MHPN “Michigan Places Matter”
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Thursday evening’s Community Open House and Friday’s keynote address are both free
and open to the public as is a Friday morning session that offers a close-up look at the
conference theme. “An Invitation for Creativity in Your Community: Michigan’s Placemaking
Initiative” is presented by James Tischler, Director, Community Development Division,
Michigan State Housing Development Authority and Arnold Weinfeld, Director, Strategic
Initiatives, and President, Michigan Municipal League Foundation.
To learn about the conference, download the brochure at www.mhpn.org or request a copy
at admin@mhpn.org or (517) 371-8080 at the close of February. Costs range from $65-$390
for members; prices have not gone up since 2008. There are member benefits (on-the-spot
membership is on the registration form), single-day pricing, reductions for full-time students
and those 60+, an early-bird discount, and low Saturday prices. Most sessions and tours
are approved for MCP, AICP, and AIA credits. Also consider that you can “Make It a
Jackson Weekend.” The Country Inn & Suites has extended its conference rate to include
both Tuesday and Saturday nights, and the website for Experience Jackson –
www.experiencejackson.com – shows how much there is to do!
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The MHPN is Michigan’s statewide preservation organization and the advocacy and
resource group for preservationists from all backgrounds. Founded in 1981, the MHPN has
hosted this annual educational conference every year since it was founded, moving it
around the state to reach more and more people each year. For information about MHPN,
please visit our website at: www.mhpn.org.
313 E. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48906