LESSONS LEARNED AT THE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRUST CONFERENCE

Old Oak Cliff Preservation League board president Michael Amonett recently attended the conference in Austin, and shared via Back Talk Oak Cliff his insights on how the sessions applied to our neighborhood’s rich historic architecture. Below are excerpts; to read his posts in full and to view slideshows from his trip, visit and search: Amonett

IN

A CITY, THE PAST IS VISIBLE

10.28.10 At the opening plenary, the new Historic Trust for Preservation president, Stephanie Meeks, spoke of the need for preservation to be three things: accessible, visible and funded.

Next up was former First Lady and honorary chair of the conference, Laura W. Bush. Who knew we had such an advocate for preservation living right in Dallas?

Finally, New Yorker architecture critic Paul Goldberger was truly eloquent in explaining why Austin was chosen as an example of the Next American City. Unlike Houston or Dallas, Austin has always embraced and honored its old, and recognized the need and importance for people to be able to connect to their past. In a city, the past is visible, and nowhere is that more true in Dallas than Oak Cliff.

DENSITY AND PRESERVATION compete with our suburbs over time. neighborhoods based on their authenticity. neighborhoods in a surgical way, or these character areas could be ruined, losing their value. likely to not succeed if it is 100 percent new. Our chance at real competition with the suburbs is our possession of structures they will never have.

10.30.10 It is always nice to hear factual data that backs up why you feel so strongly about something. Session speakers offered quite a bit of facts to help make the case for our smaller historic buildings: these buildings. economic times.

North Oak Cliff.