Takeaways from our 2023 Preservation Conference and Awards Celebration
New, Creative Trends of the Old Building Business Featured at Historic Preservation Summit
Walking tours were held throughout the day, giving Conference attendees an insider look at preservation efforts in Claremont. Photo: Steve Booth Photography
New preservationists and innovative trends were featured at our biennial conference held on May 19th, 2023 in Claremont.
About 150 people traveled from the North Country, Portsmouth, Nashua and Keene, and scores of towns in between, to explore Claremont’s history and recent community development successes. These community leaders and design/construction/development professionals also shared strategies for reviving community landmarks, addressing housing and trades shortages and attracting young people and right-sized investment.
The Preservation Alliance has been holding conferences since its founding in 1985, and we were pleased to attract preservation newcomers to this year’s event. Many were first-time conference attendees, including young advocates and tradespeople that were seeking content and connections.
In 2023, the day’s activities began with refreshments and the unveiling of this year’s Preservation Achievement Award winners. Each year, we celebrate preservation efforts throughout the state through our Awards program, and their announcement this year was the perfect note to kick off the rest of the day’s sessions.
This year’s conference showcased new and lesser-known tools like neighborhood heritage areas, preservation easements, and a new proposed state rehabilitation tax credit. People also discussed the variety of creative uses for under-utilized buildings; models that were award-winners included a shelter in a former Catholic school in Nashua, a community gathering space in a grange in Stratford, and an inn in the Tobias Lear Home in Portsmouth.
Three blocks of sessions were held throughout the day inside local, historic sites. Photo: Steve Booth Photography
Attendees praised Claremont’s robust historic architecture and views of Mt. Ascutney, steeple tops and the Sugar River, as well as the creativity and tenacity of people advancing important projects. Of the 12 awards presented at the conference, two were for Claremont projects: Chinburg Builders’ rehabilitation of Monadnock Mill #3 and the MakersSpace re-use of the historic Sawtooth Building. Claremont Planning and Economic Development Director, Nancy Merrill, along with David Messier, Chair of the Claremont Historic District Commission, highlighted strategies that cities and towns can use to make struggling downtowns attractive to business owners and community members.
The preservation conference is held every other year; the next one will take place in 2025. Stay tuned for updates!