Historic Preservation 101: Session 1, Origins and Concepts

Historic Preservation 101: Session 1, Origins and Concpets

Marty Hylton, President, Architecture Sarasota

Thursday, March 15th, 2025

6-7pm

McCulloch Pavilion, 265 S Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236

Parking available in the lots East of the Pavilion and South of Morril Street

ABOUT HISTORIC PRESERVATION 101

As described by the U.S. National Park Service, historic preservation - also referred to as cultural heritage conservation - is "a conversation with our past about our future." The historic preservation movement began with populist efforts to preserve places that help tell the stories of humanity's collective past. By the mid-20th century, historic preservation, from its grass-roots origins, grew as a land-use tool with the introduction of national legislation and local ordinances and was codified as a discipline and profession. Historic Preservation 101 introduces the basic concepts of stewarding cultural resources, examines policy and standards, and explores new directions from both a national and international perspective.

ABOUT SESSION 1: ORIGINS AND CONCEPTS

This session traces the origins of historic preservation as a land-use and social movement and explores some of the key concepts that underpin the discipline and practice. Foundational concepts include values and significance, period of significance, and authenticity and integrity.

ABOUT MARTY HYLTON

Morris [Marty] Hylton III has more than 25 years of experience documenting, conserving, and advocating for cultural heritage. Trained as an architect and historic preservationist, Marty specializes in closely collaborating with community stakeholders to develop multifaceted strategies and programs to preserve and manage resources. His research and professional work have focused on the distinct stewardship challenges of 20th-century heritage, particularly sites and buildings of the post-World War II era, and the preparation and recovery of historic sites and communities impacted by natural disasters and coastal communities.

From 2002 to 2007, Marty served as Strategic Initiatives Manager for the World Monuments Fund – an international non-profit with a mission of saving endangered heritage globally. While at WMF, he oversaw recovery efforts along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and helped create the Modernism at Risk program. For 14 years, Marty served as Director of Historic Preservation at University of Florida where he launched the Envision Heritage program dedicated to harnessing digital technologies for documenting historic buildings and communities. More recently, he was the inaugural National Park Service Historic Architect for Climate Change where he helped create the Climate, Science, and Disaster Response Program for the Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate.

ABOUT PAST AS PROLOGUE

Historic Preservation is not about freezing historic sites and our built heritage in time, but working with residents and stakeholders to sensitively manage the change necessary to ensure our communities flourish. This year, Architecture Sarasota is celebrating National Historic Preservation Month by offering a range of activities under the theme of "Past is Prologue," emphasizing the role of preservation in safeguarding historic places while addressing current and future needs. Throughout May 2025, the organization is hosting lectures, open studios of local firms, excursions, and a Historic Preservation 101 course led by President Marty Hylton. The month concludes with an on-line auction, celebration, and an update on the organization's various initiatives including the Restoring a Sense of Place Disaster Recovery and Preserving the Manufactured Housing Communities of Sarasota County, among others.