Rebecca Howland Named one of Union Leader's 40 Under 40
Rebecca in front of an old farm structure.
Congratulations to our development and communications manager, Rebecca Howland, for being named to the Union Leader’s 40 under 40 list. The annual list "recognizes some of the state’s brightest young achievers who have a record of professional and volunteer accomplishments in New Hampshire." Rebecca Howland’s multi-dimensional interests and skills are helping create and enhance New Hampshire communities where people want to live, work and play. As development and communications manager at the N.H. Preservation Alliance, her skills, work ethic, and creativity have helped propel our small but effective statewide historic preservation nonprofit organization forward. Both her external communications and internal data management and computer skills have led to more investment in historic places in our towns and cities than ever before, and an increased number of old building owners and enthusiasts who are engaged in preservation work.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to do my part to save, revive and reimagine new uses for these important pieces of New Hampshire’s history”, said Howland.
During the pandemic, she helped make available to the public over 50 free educational programs on topics ranging from barn repair to energy efficiency (the Preservation Alliance’s first virtual and recorded content ever in its 30+-year history). She created and administers a strong social media presence, tripling our Facebook engagement, with expanded plans in the works.
Rebecca with her horse, Neptune, goofing off at Live and Let Live Farm
In addition to her work the N.H. Preservation Alliance, Rebecca prioritizes volunteering at other non-profits that she is passionate about. Several times a week she’s at Live and Let Live Farm's Rescue and Sanctuary, a Chichester-based animal shelter for abused and unwanted animals. In addition to weekly feed shifts and caring for her own horses there, she has helped develop their website and other essential communication tools. Rebecca is also a good friend of Red River Theatres in Concord, according to the nonprofit’s executive director Angie Lane (a previous 40 under 40 listee). A former part-time floor staff member (box office and concessions), she co-hosts a fan-favorite trivia segment at the annual Oscar party fundraiser. Red River is a nonprofit that offers a diverse program of new releases, classic films, film discussions, family events, and cult favorites. Conversation and civic engagement at the heart of what they do.
In addition, she is a skilled filmmaker and has created documentaries that help nonprofits tell their story and gain new audiences. She has made short videos for the Alliance’s statewide awards program and Seven to Save endangered properties list that brought to life previously static programs announcement.
Rebecca on set of a local indie film
She has also made well-received films for the Mill Hollow Heritage Association and their rare surviving water-powered mill in Alstead, NH; and the Abbot-Downing Historical Society, to share the story of the world-famous Concord Coach. Her film “Voices in the Dark” tells the story of one of the most infamous rescues in the history of Live and Let Live Farm which involved the years-long struggle to save and rehabilitate several animals; one of which was a blue-eyed appaloosa named Neptune, whom Rebecca would later adopt.
“We’re so happy that Rebecca’s great work is being recognized and love the opportunity to showcase young people involved in historic preservation in all kinds of ways,” said Preservation Alliance executive director Jennifer Goodman (also previous 40 under 40 listee).
According to a recent national study of millennials, nearly all (97%) of the nation’s largest and most diverse generation appreciate the value of historic preservation. Commissioned by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the survey reveals the salient role that preservation plays in the millennial narrative and the development of communities courting this generation. One-in-two millennials view historic preservation as important through the lens of engaging in authentic experiences (52%), preserving a sense of community (52%) and creatively re-using structures (51%).