Preservation Resources
National Register of Historic Places: The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archaeological resources.
National Trust of Historic Preservation: an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities.
California Mills Act: How California incentives and gives tax breaks for preservation activities.
Arapahoe Acres Historic District: Arapahoe Acres is the first post-World Was II residential subdivision listed as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.
Houston Mod: A non-profit dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas.
Ann Arbor Michigan A2modern: These homeowners, architects and enthusiasts joined together with the goal to raise the awareness of and appreciation for mid-century architecture and design. Through its activities, a2modern celebrates the accomplishments of the architects, designers, builders and homeowners in Ann Arbor.
Articles
“End of line for S.F.’s infamous Jack Tar Hotel” by Carl Nolte in SFGate.
This article tells the story of a modern hotel in San Francisco that was loved and hated for its modern design. The hotel was the first in the area with air conditioning, had 450 parking spots for 402 rooms, allowed guests to almost drive up to their rooms- all great features of MCM design. It opened in the spring of 1960. The hotel was just demolished, and will be replaced with a medical center. Another lost piece of MCM architecture.
“Modern Architecture tells story of midcentury Lawrence” by Sara Sheperd on LJworld.com
This article about a city in Kansas, shows a town and some advocates who seem to be a few steps ahead of where we are in our initial assessment of Mid-Century Modern in the community. It discusses the benefit of doing some early research on these buildings, which can help in redevelopment decisions, and make it easier for someone to list their house in the future. The article also brings up the question of preserving MCM buildings. Be sure to click on the link for the “Double Hyperbolic Paraboloid House”!
"New Frank Lloyd Wright House Constructed at Florida Southern" by ROBIN SUSSINGHAM
This is an interesting article in that it is a newly constructed building at the Florida Southern College. The original design for the building was done back in 1938, though was never built. When the school was looking for a new building this was decided on, as it was designed just for the school. A unique part of the Florida Southern College is that it is home to one of the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture buildings. The decision to add this building to the collection came with a large price, the school was able to raise the money without having it affect the students. The construction of the building is just as Frank Lloyd Wright designed it. I like that the school picked a historic blue print over a new architecture. An interesting part of it is that they were able to find some modern materials that would be able to substitute for the intended materials.
The challenges of preserving Midcentury Modern Homes By Katherine Salant
This article is already one year old. But it contains some things about MCM homes that might be worth mentioning. Although I don't agree with the author's statement that "for the current generation of preservationists, the style that’s not worth saving is Midcentury Modern", she makes some interesting points when it comes to making home owners appreciate their MCM houses. One of her arguments is that one can actually take advantage of the fact that the houses are fairly 'new'. Renovating and preserving a building is much easier when you might still be able to get some of the original material used in the house's constrution or might even be able to talk to its architect. Furthermore, the author states that some of the Midcenury Modern houses are actually quite energy-efficient thanks to huge, movable glass elements that can be opened during summertime and create natural ventilation, thus replacing air conditioning.
Were Brutalist Buildings on College Campuses Really Designed to Thwart Student Riots? By J. Bryan Lowder
This article discusses a modern form of architecture of Brutalism. The buildings were built in the 1950’structures were built between the 1950’s and 1970’s and leave a strong imprint on the landscape of a college campus. The design is often misunderstood and considered ugly. The article is a fun look at the importance of how education can lead to more appreciation and understanding of form and function. Can some of these lessons be applied to mid-century modern architecture developed during the same ear?
Around Laramie
William Robertson Coe Library: Reflections on the Past, 2008. This research was done for Coe Library's 50th Anniversary.
National Register of Historic Places: The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archaeological resources.
National Trust of Historic Preservation: an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities.
California Mills Act: How California incentives and gives tax breaks for preservation activities.
Arapahoe Acres Historic District: Arapahoe Acres is the first post-World Was II residential subdivision listed as a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.
Houston Mod: A non-profit dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture and design in Houston and Texas.
Ann Arbor Michigan A2modern: These homeowners, architects and enthusiasts joined together with the goal to raise the awareness of and appreciation for mid-century architecture and design. Through its activities, a2modern celebrates the accomplishments of the architects, designers, builders and homeowners in Ann Arbor.
Articles
“End of line for S.F.’s infamous Jack Tar Hotel” by Carl Nolte in SFGate.
This article tells the story of a modern hotel in San Francisco that was loved and hated for its modern design. The hotel was the first in the area with air conditioning, had 450 parking spots for 402 rooms, allowed guests to almost drive up to their rooms- all great features of MCM design. It opened in the spring of 1960. The hotel was just demolished, and will be replaced with a medical center. Another lost piece of MCM architecture.
“Modern Architecture tells story of midcentury Lawrence” by Sara Sheperd on LJworld.com
This article about a city in Kansas, shows a town and some advocates who seem to be a few steps ahead of where we are in our initial assessment of Mid-Century Modern in the community. It discusses the benefit of doing some early research on these buildings, which can help in redevelopment decisions, and make it easier for someone to list their house in the future. The article also brings up the question of preserving MCM buildings. Be sure to click on the link for the “Double Hyperbolic Paraboloid House”!
"New Frank Lloyd Wright House Constructed at Florida Southern" by ROBIN SUSSINGHAM
This is an interesting article in that it is a newly constructed building at the Florida Southern College. The original design for the building was done back in 1938, though was never built. When the school was looking for a new building this was decided on, as it was designed just for the school. A unique part of the Florida Southern College is that it is home to one of the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture buildings. The decision to add this building to the collection came with a large price, the school was able to raise the money without having it affect the students. The construction of the building is just as Frank Lloyd Wright designed it. I like that the school picked a historic blue print over a new architecture. An interesting part of it is that they were able to find some modern materials that would be able to substitute for the intended materials.
The challenges of preserving Midcentury Modern Homes By Katherine Salant
This article is already one year old. But it contains some things about MCM homes that might be worth mentioning. Although I don't agree with the author's statement that "for the current generation of preservationists, the style that’s not worth saving is Midcentury Modern", she makes some interesting points when it comes to making home owners appreciate their MCM houses. One of her arguments is that one can actually take advantage of the fact that the houses are fairly 'new'. Renovating and preserving a building is much easier when you might still be able to get some of the original material used in the house's constrution or might even be able to talk to its architect. Furthermore, the author states that some of the Midcenury Modern houses are actually quite energy-efficient thanks to huge, movable glass elements that can be opened during summertime and create natural ventilation, thus replacing air conditioning.
Were Brutalist Buildings on College Campuses Really Designed to Thwart Student Riots? By J. Bryan Lowder
This article discusses a modern form of architecture of Brutalism. The buildings were built in the 1950’structures were built between the 1950’s and 1970’s and leave a strong imprint on the landscape of a college campus. The design is often misunderstood and considered ugly. The article is a fun look at the importance of how education can lead to more appreciation and understanding of form and function. Can some of these lessons be applied to mid-century modern architecture developed during the same ear?
Around Laramie
William Robertson Coe Library: Reflections on the Past, 2008. This research was done for Coe Library's 50th Anniversary.