Preserve and Play - 2005

Recreation and entertainment have come, in part, to define the American way of life. Over the past century, recreation and entertainment sites, structures, and landscapes have proliferated, reflecting this importance and accommodating our increasing need to relax and play. It is a legacy that remains today despite significant loss and increasing threats. Held in May 2005, Preserve and Play, provided the first national forum to explore and promote successful ways of preserving our recreation and entertainment heritage. Preserve and Play was hosted at the historic InterContinental Chicago Hotel (former Medinah Athletic Club) and featured over 70 leading experts in various disciplines.

The themes of the conference emphasized how to evaluate these resources, apply traditional and innovative preservation strategies, and undertake successful conservation and rehabilitation work. Noted scholar Witold Rybczynski, author ofWaiting for the Weekend and A Clearing In The Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and America in the 19th Century, and Tim Samuelson, Chicago's preeminent cultural historian, delivered the keynote addresses. Architectural historian Alan Hess gave a lunchtime presentation on recreation and the American home. The concluding session featured a talk with author and icon Studs Terkel, who shared his personal memories of recreation in Chicago.

Prior to the main conference, workshops were held on historic recreation landscapes, historic wood structures, and historic concrete. Preserve and Play also included guided tours of local sites including Wrigley Field, Chicago's historic theatres, parks, and athletic clubs, a resource center including exhibits and displays, and a media center screening recreation-related documentaries.

The conference notebook, containing papers presented at Preserve and Play along with a comprehensive bibliography, is available for purchase from the National Council for Preservation Education.

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For more information email: nps_tpsconference@nps.gov

Tim Samuelson and Studs Terkel at Preserve and Play

Wood workshop participants at toboggan slides

Conference bookstore hosted by Arcadia Publishers

A session on preserving historic stadiums