2011 Historic Preservation Conference on June 3 at Monmouth University

New Jersey Historic Trust to Present "Preservation Looks Forward"


 

TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Historic Trust, an affiliate of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), will co-host the 2011 Historic Preservation Conference on June 3 at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. The conference, "Preservation Looks Forward," will focus on how communities can sustain their historic and cultural attractions despite economic challenges.

"Making the best use of our historic buildings and promoting the history we have to offer is good for the economy because it is proven that historic sites attract tourists who are more willing to stay and spend money in the local communities they are visiting," said DCA Commissioner Lori Grifa. "To avoid losing out on this economic opportunity, preservationists need to learn new ways to succeed in a changing economy. They will find such guidance at this year's Historic Preservation Conference."

Opening Speaker Jeffrey G. Otteau, president of Otteau Valuation Group, will engage conference attendees in a dialogue on ways preservationists can re-position themselves to succeed in a changed economy with shifting priorities. He will join more than 70 other expert speakers during the third annual conference to address such topics as renewable energy and historic buildings; archaeological contributions to preservation in New Jersey; affordable housing in historic places; heritage tourism marketing; and essential tools for historic preservation commissions.

The conference will also include several outdoor workshops, including walking tours of Woodrow Wilson Hall, a National Historic Landmark, on Monmouth University’s campus and tours of Ocean Grove, Asbury Park and the Four Corners Historic District of Shrewsbury.

"Monmouth University is the perfect setting to host this year's conference because of its well-maintained historic buildings, which conference attendees will have the opportunity to see. The University proves how great of an asset historic sites can be for a community when they are correctly preserved and marketed," said Historic Trust Executive Director Dorothy Guzzo. "The dynamic speakers and sessions at this year's conference will help preservationists put their projects in the best possible position to succeed."

In addition to the New Jersey Historic Trust, the conference is being hosted by Monmouth County, Common Wealth of New Jersey, Historic Preservation Office of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Historical Commission and Monmouth University.

Register online at http://fs19.formsite.com/NJHT/ConferenceRegistration/index.html. Same day registrations will also be accepted. For information about the conference, please log on to www.njhistoricpreservationconference.org or contact the Historic Trust at (609) 984-0473 or njht@dca.state.nj.us.

Established in 1967, the Historic Trust is the only nonprofit historic preservation organization in New Jersey created by state law. It provides financial support and technical assistance to historic preservation projects throughout the state of New Jersey.

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