Where Are You?
From October 13-17, I had the honor of being the first ever Palmetto Trust Executive Director to participate in the National Trust’s Annual Preservation Conference held this year in downtown Nashville, TN.   Other SC representatives included Palmetto Trust board member Cynthia Jenkins and Kitty Robinson, head of the Historic Charleston Foundation.

(Here is Mike with John Hildreth from the National Trust and Kitty Robinson from the Historic Charleston Foundation)

What were your general impressions on the Conference?
You know, we post this blog so that I can share what I’m learning during my travels with other South Carolina communities and preservation groups.  That’s basically what this conference was all about.  Sharing best practices, lessons learned and inspiring one another with success stories.  The achievements of Palmetto State were well received and well recognized.

How exciting!  Tell me about the conference.
There were more than 2,000 preservationists and the leadership from other National Trust partner organizations in attendance.  It was a phenomenal experience to be able to meet and network with so many people who share our collective passion for saving historic structures.

You must have had the opportunity to meet a lot of people?
I really did.  It was wonderful to be able to spend time with my counterparts in other states, as well as the executive staff of the National Trust.

 
Here are Mike and John with National Trust Members Valecia Crisafulli (director of Statewide and Local Partnerships) and Peter Brink (National Trust Senior Vice President, Programs)

What stands out in your memory of the conference?
During my time at the conference, I was struck by the similarities between the issues that face South Carolina and the parallels to what is happening nationwide.  It energized me to learn about what other preservation groups are doing to save their historic treasures and reaffirmed my commitment to sustain our mission even amidst this economic downturn. 

Did you have the opportunity to participate in workshops or other sessions?
Absolutely.  The week was filled with opportunities to hear from national and international authorities and participate in high-level intensive conversations surrounding subjects like: “sustainability in preservation in a changing economy” and “What if the path wasn’t harmonious?” related to potentially volatile or contentious preservation projects.

Does any particular session stand out?
I would definitely have to say the session with Fiona Reynolds Director of the United Kingdom’s National Trust was superb.  As an added bonus, the session was hosted in the beautiful Ryman Auditorium – best known as the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Founded in 1895, the UK’s National Trust serves England, Wales and Northern Ireland with a strategy of saving special places of beauty, historic interest and promoting their permanent preservation.  It was very insightful to learn how they are working to perpetuate the English landscape and hearing her impressions of US efforts to save our historic structures.

Did you have a chance to enjoy Nashville while you were there?

The City of Nashville was a wonderful host.  It was rainy most of the week, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying tasty local fare, checking out the sites and of course hearing some great music.  This was my inaugural visit to downtown Nashville, but I’ll definitely be looking forward to going back.

Posted:  Monday, October 19, 2009