"Tomorrow’s Yesterdays: Historic Districts of the Future": A Panel Hosted By Historic Districts Council

"Tomorrow’s Yesterdays: Historic Districts of the Future"

March 18, 6:30 PM

ShapeShifter Lab

18 Whitwell Place

Gowanus

The Historic Districts Council, an advocacy organization for all of New York City’s historic neighborhoods, is launching its 2015 Annual Preservation Conference Series throughout the month of March. The focus of this year's conference is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Law.

This year’s conference consists of three panels, one of which is entitled "Tomorrow’s Yesterdays: Historic Districts of the Future". It will take place in Gowanus and will, in part, focus on preservation of industrial buildings such as the ones that can be found in this mostly manufacturing neighborhood.

From HDC:

When Brooklyn Heights was designated the very first New York City historic district in 1965, the architectural styles found there exemplified the types of buildings that the Landmarks Preservation Commission saw as worthy of protection. While protecting classic Federals and grand rowhouses has never gone out of style, over the past 50 years, the question of what types of buildings can be landmarked has slowly been re-examined. 

Beginning in 1973 with the designation of the SoHo-Cast-Iron District, acceptance has slowly warmed to the potential diversity of historic districts, including with vernacular or industrial buildings. This panel will include a presentation of the evolution of historic districts by architectural historian Francis Morrone, before considering the issues of the present and future. The panelist, urban planner Paul Graziano, Gowanus advocate Marlene Donnelly and Ward Dennis, Columbia University professor and Brooklyn Community Board 1 member, will discuss potential historic districts, technological and bureaucratic strategies for looking ahead, and questions such as Can Gowanus ever be designated? and Is there a place for a historic district in suburban Queens?

Tickets for this panel are $20 and can be purchased here.

All information about the conference and other panels, click here.