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|  | MIchigan's 2023 House of Representatives Class
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Preservation Advocates Show Up!
I was inspired by the preservation advocates who heart-bombed Livonia’s Alfred Noble Library. You’ll read about it below. The library–a 1967 Mid-Century gem designed by Gunnar Birkerts–deserves attention. Despite lousy weather, its advocates showed up. There were kids and middle-agers and older people. There were dads and moms with their children. Hearts were everywhere, home-made with slogans urging that Noble be saved. Will it? Who knows at this point. But its advocates are armed with more than hearts. Their best argument may be that taxpayer money budgeted for demolition could better be used to get the library back on its feet. They’ll show up and say so.
How about if YOU show up for the MHPN’s Virtual Advocacy Day on Friday, April 21? Described below, it’s your opportunity for virtual meetings with your State Legislators. Preservation has a compelling story. Today’s restorations make existing buildings energy-smart and cost effective. Preservation creates jobs and local economies benefit. Recycling buildings provides towns large and small the economic edge of being visually distinctive and walkable. By showing up for Advocacy Day, you may be the first to ever tell your Legislator that you live in their district because of the quality-of-life preservation helps create. Show up by clicking here: www.mhpn.org/state/
Finally, how about showing up and doing something for YOURSELF? For 43 years, the MHPN has presented its statewide conference where you can refresh your commitment to preservation with good sessions, good tours, and, well, some very good parties. We all spend time engaged in conflict. As preservation advocates, we understand why but don’t relish being adversarial. We’d rather be building knowledge and engaging partners who recognize, as we do, that preservation is a common good with big local and state benefits. Do this by coming to the MHPN Conference on Mackinac Island, May 11-13, at Mission Point Resort. Show up for yourself by reading more below and clicking here: www.mhpn.org/conference/
See you soon!
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Local Historic Preservation Advocacy in Livonia Heart-bombing to save the Alfred Noble Library!Local advocates made hand-made hearts to show their support of the Gunnar Birkerts designed library. The group gathered along Plymouth Road waving their creations to show support for the abandoned mid-century modern building. "More Respect, Less Neglect" read one of the signs, carried by one of the organizers, Laura Jannika. Detroit Free Press columnist,Neal Rubin, covered the event on February 19, 2023. Jane LeSage, one of the heart-bombers and neighbor, noted that the library is "the only thing that has any history or noteworthy design for the entire length of Plymouth Road." MHPN is pleased to offer support in the effort to save the Noble Library.
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Looking for an inexpensive way to come to Mackinac Island?
Here are two possibilities to consider:
First, we have SCHOLARSHIPS for students, professionals, tradespeople, and others. Registration and overnight costs are covered. Submit a letter describing preservation interests and letter of recommendation to mhpnscholarships@gmail.com.
Second, VOLUNTEERS are needed. Volunteers receive free registration on work days; added days are at the Student Rate. Contact VolunteerMHPN@gmail.com. For both, apply by April 9, 5:00 PM.
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 | Bryan Lijewski, center, shown with fellow MHPN tour guides in 2018
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| Bryan Lijewski, of the Michigan SHPO Elevated to AIA Fellow
If you've worked on a tax credit project or dealt with a Michigan Lighthouse in Michigan, you know Bryan Lijewski,of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) architectural specialist. Outside his regular job, Bryan is a regular presenter at the MHPN conference, and encouraged MHPN to include Michigan Modern architecture in our conferences years before Modernism reached its current popularity. Bryan also guides MHPN behind the scenes with session selection to assure the highlighted projects comply with the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation. In February 2023, Bryan was recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with membership in the prestigious College of Fellows. According to the AIA, this honor is the highest membership honor and given for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society, with less than three- percent of the profession archiving the Fellowship. Don't forget to congratulate Bryan when you see him on Mackinac Island as he again does presentations for MHPN!
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Historic Resource Council Celebrates Twenty-five Years
The Michigan Historic Preservation Network’s Construction Trades Council (CTC), led by CTC Director and MHPN board member Ron Staley, compiled its first directory in 1998. Sandwiched between two pieces of parchment-colored paper and stapled twice near the left margin, the directory had a humble beginning, but it fulfilled its stated purpose—to serve “as a resource to persons in search of persons and firms who have interest and experience in renovation or restoration of historic buildings.”
Sixty-three individuals and firms had their names, addresses, and phone numbers listed in the directory under the category of service they provided. There were neither descriptions nor advertisements, nor photographs to illustrate the work of historic preservation in that first edition. All of that changed with the publication of the fifth anniversary edition, however, when advertisements appeared for the first time.
Over the years, the Construction Trades Council became the Historic Resource Council. Since the first directory was published, the council has grown to nearly one hundred members, and the “trades” represented reflect the variety of professions it takes to make historic preservation projects happen. Long ago the staples and photocopied pages were replaced by a professionally printed magazine-style directory that has included accountants and archaeologists and attorneys, as well as insurance agents, and signage fabricators, and professionals who help with strategic planning.
For twenty-five years the Historic Resource Council Directory has remained the best source for finding professionals who preserve our cultural resources. We may have missed some of you when we sent out our call for members. If you are not in the directory, please join the HRC this year! For the affordable $200 membership fee you can be listed in our special silver anniversary edition. The deadline is March 10, so do not delay! Please visit mhpn.org/historic-resource-council-directory to join or renew.
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Upcoming MHPN Workshops
MHPN's monthly webinars are free and open to everyone to register. Miss the live event? Recordings on our YouTube channel.
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Preservation In the News
"Opinion: Let's be smart with Detroit's old buildings, " Crain's Detroit Business, by Ronald D. Staley, February 23, 2023.
"Six distinctive places in Southwest Michigan listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2022,' WKZO AM/FM, by Jerry Malec, February 22, 2023.
"U.P. Farm, Veterans Hospital Join National Register Of Historic Places," Radio Results Network, by Jack Hall, February 21, 2023.
"Tallest lighthouse on Great Lakes to offer overnight stays this summer," MLive, by Emily Bingham, February 17, 2023.
"Buchanan discusses possible revival of city’s DDA," Leader Publications, by Debra Haight, February 17, 2023.
"Renovations of Alpena's Thunder Bay Theatre one step closer to $1.2M goal thanks to this $100K grant," Rural Innovation Exchange, by MJ Galbraith, February 16, 2023.
"National Park Service awards $4.48 million to help preserve America’s equal rights history," National Park Service, February 9, 2023.
"Historic Building Preservation Grants Approved For U.P. Communities," Radio Results Network, by Jack Hall, February 9, 2023.
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