"Outside the Box: Innovative Preservation Practices for the 21st Century"

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ALBANY, NY (03/19/2013)(readMedia)-- "Outside the Box: Innovative Preservation Practices for the 21st Century" is the theme of the 27th annual Preservation Conference, a collaboration of The Landmark Society of Western New York and The Preservation League of New York State.

This year's conference, presented by Rochester Colonial Manufacturing, is set for April 19-20 and will be hosted by the Village of Brockport and The College at Brockport. Property owners, community advocates, planners, public officials and all of those interested in historic preservation will receive valuable information and inspiration for revitalizing their cities, towns, neighborhoods and even their own properties. This year's conference will emphasize "outside the box" thinking – innovative and creative planning and advocacy tools that can help communities in Upstate New York flourish.

"It is truly fitting that we hold this year's event in Brockport, a thriving community on the Erie Canal that has embraced preservation as a revitalization tool," said Wayne Goodman, Executive Director of the Landmark Society.

"The Preservation League of New York State is pleased to collaborate with one of the Empire State's oldest and most respected regional preservation groups, the Landmark Society, to present this conference," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "The wide range of topics and caliber of speakers should prove interesting to preservationists across New York."

On Saturday, April 20, keynote speaker Dr. Stephanie Toothman, Associate Director for Cultural Resources, National Park Service (NPS), will present "2016 and Beyond: NPS and the National Historic Preservation Program." Toothman is responsible for history, historic preservation, and cultural programs in 392 national parks and a host of community programs that make up the NPS role in a national preservation partnership among federal, Tribal, state and local governments and nonprofits.

Also featured is Mark Fenton, a national public health, planning, and transportation consultant, an adjunct associate professor at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and former host of the "America's Walking" series on PBS television. He is also the author of numerous books and is an expert on walkable communities.

Other sessions will include case studies and information on commercial and homeowner tax credits; the economics of preservation and Main St. revitalization; funding, repair and adaptive use of historic religious buildings; and a community design charrette, sponsored by the Rochester Regional Community Design Center.

A pre-conference gathering on Friday, April 19 will feature a screening of The Courthouse Girls of Farmland. This preservation success story is the tale of seven senior women (ages 77-94) who got up from their bridge club table to make a bold statement by posing suggestively in a calendar to raise awareness and funds to save Randolph County, Indiana's 1877 Italianate style courthouse. Two of the film's stars will be at the screening to share their experiences.

For a complete list of sessions and presenters and registration information visit www.landmarksociety.org. Register online or by calling (585)546-7029 x 11 (paper registrations available upon request). Early bird discount registration deadline is April 2.

Generous support for the 2013 Preservation Conference is provided by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation. The Landmark Society and the Preservation League are supported, in part, by general operating funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

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About The Landmark Society: In its 75th year, The Landmark Society of Western New York, Inc. is one of the oldest and most active preservation organizations in America, serving nine Western New York counties. Formed in 1937, The Landmark Society continues to protect the unique architectural heritage of our region and promote preservation and planning principles that foster healthy and sustainable communities. For additional information about The Landmark Society, visit www.landmarksociety.org.

About the Preservation League: Founded in 1974 in Albany, the Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth, and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. They lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state. For more information, visit www.preservenys.org .

CONFERENCE CONTACT:

Caitlin Meives

cmeives@landmarksociety.org

(585)546-7029 x27