5 TAKE

After working for Wilmington for nearly a year-and-a-half, JESSICA BALDWIN recently moved into the role of senior historic preservation planner for the city. The promotion took effect in mid-July, and in the role, Baldwin says she is responsible “for helping to maintain the historic built environment and cultural heritage of Wilmington.” She moved to the Port City in March of last year from New York City.

WHAT DREW YOU HERE FROM NYC? “I grew up in Columbus County, so Wilmington felt familiar. I have family nearby, and it was an opportunity to learn new skills and develop my career in a more well-rounded way. Plus, Southeastern North Carolina is a beautiful place, hot but beautiful.”

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WORK IN THE FIELD OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION? “I knew I wanted to be an architect since I was a kid, but after school I quickly learned architecture school and the practice of architecture are very different. I had also always been drawn to the history of our built environment, how cities are constructed, how architectural styles changed, and how the movement of people effects how buildings, streets, and cities look and function. … The thing that inspires me the most is how much histor- ic buildings and spaces really impact people’s daily lives even when they are unaware and how the spaces I protect today are saved for generations beyond me.”

CURRENT MAJOR PROJECTS OR INITIATIVES YOU’RE WORKING ON? “Currently I am working with consultants to establish some more objective and easy to follow Design Standards. A personal goal for myself is to see that an inclusive story of the history of Wilmington was being represented through formal processes like landmarks and historic reports.” WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? “I think the biggest surprise would have to be that historic preservation is consistently seen as a burden, and while it can prevent the use of lower cost materials and make some projects last longer, it is a really an economic development tool. It protects sites of significance that give communities a sense of place, making residents happier and inviting visitors to see how unique a place can be.” HISTORICAL BUILDING THAT’S A PERSONAL FAVORITE TO YOU, EITHER HERE OR ELSEWHERE? “The former Whitney Museum in NYC is one of my favorite buildings I have ever experienced. Designed by Marcel Breuer, it’s a beautiful Brutalist structure designed with the sheer intention to celebrate American Art.” W

JESSICA BALDWIN’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Roundup email. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.