2023 Annual Conference Schedule

We’re excited to see you for Preservation NC’s 2023 Annual Conference in Durham October 4-6!

Registration is CLOSED. Confirmation emails with more details about the conference will be sent out on Friday, September 29.

If you were unable to register before the deadline, registration for educational sessions and events (that aren’t sold out) will be available in person Wednesday-Friday morning at the Durham Arts Council (120 Morris Street).

Wednesday, October 4

CONCURRENT MORNING EVENTS:
Please note that all tours require an additional registration fee

  • 10:00-11:30: TOUR: Preservation in Historic Hillsborough
    Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for a behind the scenes look at preservation projects and history as you walk through the Hillsborough Historic District of more than 500 contributing buildings ranging from the late-18th century into the early-20th century. Please wear comfortable shoes and be able to walk about a mile on sometimes uneven sidewalks. This tour is SOLD OUT. Additional tour is offered Friday at 2:00pm.  
  • 10:30-12:00: TOUR: Maplewood Cemetery
    Learn about Durham history through this guided tour of Old Maplewood Cemetery, perhaps Durham’s loveliest urban open space. Preservation Durham tour guides will take small groups around the cemetery pausing here and there to tell stories of triumph and tragedy, joy and sorrow, wealth and inequity, lives long and short. Learn about funerary traditions and grave art and architecture. This tour is limited to 30 people maximum. 
  • 10:30-12:00: TOUR: Durham’s Civil Rights History
    Preservation Durham tour guides will lead this exciting tour featuring many of the sites in downtown Durham that were important during the 1950s and 60s Civil Rights movement: Durham County Courthouse, the Arts Center (originally Durham High School and later City Hall), the Kress and Woolworth buildings (sites of sit-in protests), and the “Confronting Change” exhibit at the Carolina Theatre. Learn about the contributions of ordinary Durham residents to the struggle for equality, as well as local leaders like Floyd McKissick and national figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who brought America’s attention to the campaign for civil rights in the Bull City.  This tour is SOLD OUT.

12:30: REGISTRATION OPENS (Durham Arts Council)

1:30-3:00: PRESERVATION YEAR IN REVIEW (Durham Arts Council)
Join leadership from Preservation NC and the State Historic Preservation Office to hear about ongoing projects around the state. Election of board officers will also occur during this time as part of Preservation NC’s annual business meeting.

3:00-3:15: BREAK

3:15-4:15: DURHAM: THE LAST 40 YEARS (Durham Arts Council)
Join us for a flyover history of the last 40 years of Durham’s architecture and planning development from veterans involved with some of the city’s notable projects. 

5:30-8:30: HONOR AWARDS CEREMONY AND RECEPTION (Hayti Heritage Center)
Come celebrate another year of preservation success as we highlight projects, organizations, and individuals from around the state at the 2023 Preservation NC Honor Awards Ceremony. Afterward, mingle with preservation friends for a social reception at Hayti Heritage Center. Additional Registration REQUIRED.

Thursday, October 5

8:30-9:30: PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATES NETWORK (PAN) MEMBER COFFEE (American Underground Rooftop)
Must be a current PAN member. Join or renew your PAN membership today. Please register for this event (free of charge) so we know to expect you. Sponsored by Foss and Company.

9:00: REGISTRATION/COFFEE & CONVERSATION  (Durham Arts Council)

CONCURRENT MORNING EVENTS:
Please note that all tours require an additional registration fee

  • 10:00-11:30: SESSION: Preserving the Black Masonic History of NC (Durham Arts Council)
    Hear about efforts underway to preserve and protect some of the state’s oldest Black Masonic Lodges. You’ll learn why these buildings and institutions are so significant and what is being done to keep them around for future generations. 
  • 10:00-11:30: SESSION: Resiliency: Preservation for a Changing Climate (Durham Arts Council) 
    Resiliency isn’t just for coastal towns. Don’t believe us? Come find out how resilience strategies were incorporated into the adaptive reuse of Revolution Mill in Greensboro and how the NC Historic Resilience Project is developing tools to help historic communities around the state adapt and protect their historic resources. 
  • 10:00-12:00: FIELD SESSION: American Tobacco Campus: 20 Years After the Purchase (Full Frame Theater)
    Join a panel of American Tobacco Campus representatives for a short documentary and discussion on the longevity of the development that spurred a Durham Renaissance. Following the panel, you’ll tour the campus for an in-depth look at how it has adapted.
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  • 10:00-11:15: TOUR: Geer Street/Rigsbee Corridor
    Durham’s downtown has undergone massive change over the past 15 years. Not only has that change resulted in hundreds of new housing units in downtown’s core, it has also prompted change to nearby neighborhoods. North of downtown, the Geer Street/Rigsbee corridor has been transformed from an auto-centric mélange of dealerships and repair shops to a vibrant hub of entertainment. Some historic buildings have undergone radical change, others have been preserved, still others demolished. What factors influenced those building owners, and their neighbors? Has this area improved? Does it contribute to Durham’s character, or detract from it? Two veterans of Durham’s redevelopment walk you through a changing neighborhood. Wear walking shoes, a sun hat, and bring water. Complete walk is less than 2 miles. This tour is SOLD OUT.
  • 10:00-11:30: TOUR: Plain Boards and Cast-Off Bricks: Preserving the Legacy of Pauli Murray and the Memory and the Fitzgerald Family (Pauli Murray Center for Social Justice) 
    This tour will connect participants to the home and landscape in which Pauli Murray was raised in Durham’s historically Black West End neighborhood. Guests will learn about the life and work of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray; the decades-long effort to preserve their childhood home; and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the home, which is not yet open to the public. During the tour, guests will have the opportunity to explore the stellar preservation work that has occurred in the home and learn about the future of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. Registration includes a gift from the Pauli Murray Center. This tour is limited to 20 people maximum. Additional tours are offered Thursday at 3:00pm and Friday at 2:00pm.

11:30-1:00: LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

1:00-2:15: MARION S. COVINGTON KEYNOTE: DONOVAN RYPKEMA (Trinity United Methodist Church) 
Older and Historic Buildings: The Solution to the Affordable Housing Crisis, Not the Cause: There is no question that there is an affordable housing crisis in America. The most common proposed solution is “Let’s build our way out of it.” Unfortunately, that is a fool’s errand. You cannot build new and rent or sell cheap – it can’t be done unless there are very deep subsidies, or you build shoddy, short-lived houses. The affordable housing that is provided by the marketplace is overwhelmingly older housing stock. The number one priority for affordable housing advocates should be keeping what we have already. Donovan Rypkema, principal of PlaceEconomics, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate and economic development-consulting firm with a career of experience analyzing the economic impacts of historic preservation, will address the ways that older housing is meeting affordability needs, and also the attitudes of preservation professionals towards affordable housing. This session will be free and open to the public, regardless of conference registration.

2:15-3:00: BREAK/WALK BACK TO THE DURHAM ARTS COUNCIL

CONCURRENT AFTERNOON EVENTS:
Please note that all tours require an additional registration fee

  • 3:00-4:30: SESSION: Cracks, Mold & Bugs: Solving the Root Cause with Building Science (Durham Arts Council) 
    Say goodbye to bandages! Using a case study of downtown Asheville’s oldest African American Church, this session will explore effective strategies for evaluating and addressing the root causes of common but sometimes misdiagnosed moisture issues in historic properties. Attendees will learn about technologies and methods for moisture management, and will gain insights into developing comprehensive moisture management plans that focus on addressing root causes, rather than just managing symptoms. Jonathan Gach, owner of Energy Home Inspection, is a building science professional that believes everything can be fixed and has a passion for understanding how buildings function as complex interconnected systems. He applies specialized diagnostic tools to collect data and make informed decisions that lead to positive outcomes. 
  • 3:00-4:30: SESSION: Disability Access for Historic House Museums (and Non-Museums!) (Durham Arts Council) 
    Historic houses can often pose a challenge for accessibility for people with disabilities. This workshop will explore requirements under the ADA and creative ways to be inclusive of people with disabilities. It will touch upon physical access as well as programmatic access. 
  • 3:00-4:30: SESSION: Mayberry Modernism (Durham Arts Council)  
    What’s North Carolina’s greatest secret? We have the third most Modernist houses in the country. Seriously. Archivist and architectural historian George Smart’s discovery of North Carolina’s large number of “livable works of art” in 2007 led him to start North Carolina Modernist houses, the largest open digital archive of Modernist residential architecture and architects in the nation. Join George for a visual exploration of some of the state’s Modernist gems, many still glorious, some endangered, and some destroyed forever.
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  • 3:00-4:30: TOUR: Plain Boards and Cast-Off Bricks: Preserving the Legacy of Pauli Murray and the Memory and the Fitzgerald Family (Pauli Murray Center for Social Justice)
    This tour will connect participants to the home and landscape in which Pauli Murray was raised in Durham’s historically Black West End neighborhood. Guests will learn about the life and work of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray; the decades-long effort to preserve their childhood home; and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the home, which is not yet open to the public. During the tour, guests will have the opportunity to explore the stellar preservation work that has occurred in the home, and learn about the future of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. Registration includes a gift from the Pauli Murray Center. This tour is limited to 20 people maximum. Additional tours are offered Thursday at 10:00am and Friday at 2:00pm. 

5:30-8:00: EVENING RECEPTION: LAKEWOOD PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT (Honeysuckle Lakewood)
Check-in at Honeysuckle Restaurant to grab a bite and a beer (or glass of wine) then walk across the street to tour several homes (including Myrick’s childhood home) in the Lakewood Park National Register Historic District. Lakewood is a vibrant, early 20th century suburb of modest cottages, bungalows and Craftsman-style homes. Come peek inside the “real” and residential side of historic Durham. You’ll learn more about the neighborhood, its history, and why Lakewood Park was called “The Coney Island of the South.” End your tour back at Honeysuckle to socialize over s’mores. 

8:00-10:00: YOUNG (AND YOUNG AT HEART) PRESERVATIONIST BAR CRAWL 

Friday, October 6

9:00: REGISTRATION/COFFEE & CONVERSATION  (Durham Arts Council)

9:30-11:00: CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Durham Arts Council)

  • Grassroots Preservation Efforts in the Face of Unprecedented Development
    Moore County is more than just The Pinehurst Resort. The Pines Preservation Guild and the Sandhills Women’s Exchange will be discussing the efforts and challenges they face with protecting Moore County’s historic properties and communities. As Moore County grows due to the USGA, the US Open, and the influx of military families and retirees, the focus on preservation has often been sacrificed to development. Come hear how these grassroots organizations are creatively standing up to Goliath, often losing, but sometimes winning in the form of advocacy and education.
  • Changing Tides and Shifting Perspectives: Documenting the Coastal and Civil Rights History of Northeast North Carolina
    Whether it is a lifesaving station along the Outer Banks or the route of a Civil Rights March in Williamston, sometimes a historic resource has moved or changed significantly over time. This presents a unique challenge for preservationists: how do we recognize, document, and manage buildings and landscapes that have been significantly altered? Panelists will share their experiences and discuss alternative methods for documenting Northeast North Carolina’s disappearing resources which are threatened by climate change, dilapidation, and a lack of documentation. The conversation will center on two projects that New South Associates completed in 2023 using community outreach, archival research, oral histories, and photographic documentation to uncover hidden histories and prioritize resources for preservation. 
  • Statewide Preservation Plan Update and Input Session
    Learn more from the State Historic Preservation Office about its current work to update our 10-year statewide preservation plan, constituent feedback to date, and broader trends they are observing that impact our state’s preservation efforts. Participants will have an opportunity to provide input through a facilitated listening session.

11:00-11:15: BREAK

11:15-12:30: CLOSING PLENARY: Buying Time for Heritage: Showcasing 45 Years of Preservation with Myrick Howard
Join Myrick Howard for a closing plenary to celebrate the updated second edition of Buying Time for Heritage: How to Save a Historic Building. Myrick will look back at highlights, hardships and the historic buildings that have been the bedrock of Preservation NC’s work. Signed books will be available for purchase throughout the conference.

12:30-2:00: LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

CONCURRENT AFTERNOON EVENTS:
Please note that all tours require an additional registration fee

  • 1:30-4:30: FIELD SESSION: Dean Ruedrich Traditional Trades Workshop: Introduction to Cemetery Monument Maintenance (Geer Cemetery)  
    Led by Michael Verville and held in historic Geer Cemetery, this workshop will include a lecture on best practices, proper materials, identification of typical stones, and common damages and repairs. Michael will demonstrate a variety of techniques to include cleaning, straightening, and leveling of small monuments. He will also discuss common causes and appropriate repairs that he sees in cemeteries throughout piedmont and eastern North Carolina. This is a hands-on workshop, so participants will also clean monuments under the supervision of Michael and his team and, time permitting, reset a couple of small unbroken monuments. Workshop will last approximately 3-4 hours. We will provide tools and materials, bottled water, and bug spray. Workshop participants need to bring their own gloves and wear comfortable, close toed shoes. This workshop is limited to 15 people maximum.
  • 2:00-3:30: TOUR: Plain Boards and Cast-Off Bricks: Preserving the Legacy of Pauli Murray and the Memory and the Fitzgerald Family (Pauli Murray Center for Social Justice)
    This tour will connect participants to the home and landscape in which Pauli Murray was raised in Durham’s historically Black West End neighborhood. Guests will learn about the life and work of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray; the decades-long effort to preserve their childhood home; and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the home, which is not yet open to the public. During the tour, guests will have the opportunity to explore the stellar preservation work that has occurred in the home, and learn about the future of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. Registration includes a gift from the Pauli Murray Center. This tour is limited to 20 people maximum.  Additional tours are offered Thursday at 10:00am and 3:00pm. 
  • 2:00-3:00: TOUR: Architectural & Urban Landscape (Downtown Durham)
    Learn how Downtown Durham has transformed itself from an industrial center to the City of Medicine. Preservation Durham tour guides will describe the history of many of the landmark buildings that make up the Downtown Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. Featured on the guided walking tour are the 1915 First National Bank, the 1921 Mechanics and Farmers Bank Building, and Preservation Durham’s one-time home, the Snow Building, built in 1933. Built by the successful entrepreneurs of early 20th-century Durham, many buildings were designed by nationally known architects like Milburn and Heister, Bertrand E. Taylor, Edward F. Sibbert, and Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, as well as by local companies Rose and Rose, George Watts Carr, Hill C. Linthicum, and Atwood and Weeks. There are fine examples of many architectural styles popular in the 20th century, including Art Deco, Italianate, Neo-Classical, and post-World War II Modern. Many of downtown’s older buildings have recently changed their functions, turning from tobacco factories and textile mills into hip urban lofts, stores, and offices. This tour is limited to 25 people maximum.
  • 2:00-3:00: TOUR: Beechwood Cemetery 
    Join Preservation Durham tour guides for a walk through Beechwood Cemetery to explore the road from slavery to opportunity, Black Durham’s community relations and familial ties, and the rich legacy of leadership and fortitude. After two decades of advocacy by Durham’s African-American leadership, a city cemetery for its Black citizens was established in the late 1920s. Trailblazers in business and education, champions of civil rights, leaders in politics, the arts, and the church are memorialized here. These are the people who, in the words of W. E. B. DuBois, “upbuilt” Durham, and we are excited for our tour guides to share their stories. This tour is limited to 30 people maximum.
  • 2:00-3:00: TOUR: William C. Coker House and Gardens (Chapel Hill)
    *Please note that you may only register for this tour if you are attending the conference*
    The William C. Coker house and garden is the centerpiece of Chapel Hill’s Franklin-Rosemary Historic District. Built in 1908 by the Father of Botany in the Southeastern U.S., this estate remains a fascinating fusion of distinctive architecture and a botanically rich landscape. Designed applying the early 20th century principles of Frank Lloyd Wright for residential architecture, Coker created a magnificent house that connects beautifully to the enduring landscape, including magnificent 100+ year old trees planted by Coker. The property is protected by Preservation North Carolina.  This tour is SOLD OUT.
  • 2:00-3:30: TOUR: Preservation in Historic Hillsborough
    Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for a behind the scenes look at preservation projects and history as you walk through the National Register Historic District of more than 500 contributing buildings ranging from the late-18th century into the early-20th century. Please wear comfortable shoes and be able to walk about a mile on sometimes uneven sidewalks. This tour is limited to 20 people maximum.

Registration is CLOSED. Confirmation emails with more details about the conference will be sent out on Friday, September 29.

If you were unable to register before the deadline, registration for educational sessions and events (that aren’t sold out) will be available in person Wednesday-Friday morning at the Durham Arts Council (120 Morris Street).

If you have any registration questions, please email Annie Jernigan at ajernigan@presnc.org

Cancellation/Refund policy: Cancellation refund requests (less a 25% administrative fee) will be honored until September 27. Unfortunately, we are unable to honor refund requests after that time.