Preserving the Recent Past II - 2000

Preserving the Recent Past II, the sequel to a highly successful and groundbreaking 1995 conference, was held in Philadelphia in October 2000. Sponsored principally by the National Park Service, the Association for Preservation Technology International, the General Services Administration, and the Historic Preservation Education Foundation, the conference explored the philosophical, planning, and practical challenges associated with the preservation of modern buildings, structures, objects, and landscapes. The three-day conference and associated workshops and symposium provided a unique opportunity to learn about state-of-the-art methods and strategies for preserving our modern heritage.

Conference sessions were organized under two broad themes: "Evaluation and Preservation Strategies" and "Preservation Technology and Practice." Bringing together architects, conservators, planners, engineers, property owners, and preservation officers, among others, the conference covered a host of topics, ranging from the suburbs, housing, supermarkets, landscapes, bridges, and public buildings, to planning and advocacy issues. The technical sessions covered technical preservation issues on a diverse range of subjects, including HVAC upgrades, windows, metals, lighting, interiors, roofing, modern paints, screen block, plastics, and brick veneer.

Preserving the Recent Past II also included an exposition of restoration products for modern buildings, a new publication, and other memorable activities. Following the main conference, participants had the chance to learn more about the recent past in and around Philadelphia on tours of buildings designed by Louis Kahn, Oscar Stonorov, Frank Lloyd Wright, Robert Venturi, among others.