Columbia GSAPP Preservation Lecture Series: Preservation Futures

Columbia GSAPP Preservation Lecture Series: Preservation Futures

by Columbia GSAPP

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Science — General & History GLLibrary and information sciencesGLZMuseology and heritage studies
🎙 Columbia GSAPP 👥 29K 📅 April 10, 2026 ⏱ 84 min 👁 104 📄 lecture 🧭 2026-08-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

preservationlawblack historyChicagoadvocacy

Summary

The lecture, part of Columbia GSAPP’s Preservation Lecture Series, features Elizabeth Blasius and Jonathan Solomon of Preservation Futures. They argue that preservation as a professional practice is deeply embedded in legal frameworks that prioritize certain histories, often excluding marginalized narratives. They critique the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Register of Historic Places for perpetuating biases towards colonial and nationalist histories and for favoring large development corporations through tax incentives. To illustrate alternative approaches, they present three case studies from Chicago focused on preserving Black history. The first case is the Clark-Ford House, Chicago’s oldest house, saved by Bishop Louis Henry Ford, a Black religious leader, but later interpreted by the city with an emphasis on its white settler history, erasing the Black community’s contributions. The second case involves the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley House, where Preservation Futures worked to secure landmark status and develop a context study to highlight its significance in civil rights history. The third case is the Illinois Black Panther Party Heritage Trail, which involved documenting and interpreting sites associated with the Black Panther Party. These projects demonstrate preservation practices that operate outside traditional legal frameworks, using research, community engagement, and creative storytelling to preserve overlooked histories. The lecture concludes with a conversation with Jorge Otero-Pailos, discussing the implications for the field.

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Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides valuable insights into the limitations of current preservation laws and offers concrete examples of alternative practices. The argumentation is strong, grounded in historical analysis and professional experience. The speakers effectively critique the systemic biases in preservation and advocate for a more inclusive approach. They support their claims with specific examples and articulate a clear vision for the future of preservation.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The lecture demonstrates high scientific rigor, referencing specific legislation, executive orders, and historical events. The speakers cite the National Historic Preservation Act, the Department of the Interior’s theme studies, and the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation redlining maps. They also reference their own projects and publications. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on preservation beyond legal frameworks. The lecture is well-structured and the arguments are logically presented.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: the lecture focuses on the future of preservation, particularly the need to move beyond legal frameworks to address suppressed histories.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The lecture is delivered by established professionals in preservation, Elizabeth Blasius and Jonathan Solomon, and is hosted by Columbia GSAPP, a reputable academic institution. The content is well-structured, referencing specific historical events, legislation, and case studies. The speakers demonstrate deep expertise and provide a critical analysis of preservation practices. While the lecture is opinionated and advocacy-oriented, it is grounded in documented history and professional experience.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

  • National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) — Referenced as the foundational law for preservation, critiqued for its biases.
  • Executive Order on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History — Cited as the trigger for the lecture's discussion on preservation outside the law.
  • National Register of Historic Places — Discussed as a mechanism that favors wealthy developers and excludes certain histories.
  • Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) redlining maps — Mentioned in the context of the Clark-Ford House neighborhood's disinvestment.
  • Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley House — Case study of Preservation Futures' work.
  • Illinois Black Panther Party Heritage Trail — Case study of Preservation Futures' work.

Concurring Sources

Dissenting Sources

Contribution & Novelties

The lecture offers a critical perspective on preservation, arguing that legal frameworks inherently exclude marginalized histories and that preservation must operate outside the law to be inclusive. It provides concrete examples from Chicago, demonstrating how preservation can be reimagined through community engagement and creative storytelling. The speakers propose a shift from a focus on landmark buildings to a broader interpretation of historical narratives.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Critical Heritage Studies — This field examines the political and social dimensions of heritage, aligning with the lecture’s critique.
  • The National Trust for Historic Preservation — An organization that often works within legal frameworks but also advocates for inclusive preservation.
  • The 1966 National Historic Preservation Act — The law critiqued in the lecture; understanding its provisions is essential.
  • Redlining — The practice of discriminatory lending that affected neighborhoods like the one around the Clark-Ford House.

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Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in information quantity, quality, and technical level, with a slightly lower but still strong score in overall reliability. This indicates a well-researched and informative lecture that is technically accessible to a professional audience, with a solid foundation in evidence and expertise.

Reliability 8/10

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