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WORK TITLE: The Past and Future City
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 1964
WEBSITE:
CITY: Washington
STATE: DC
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
https://savingplaces.org/stephanie-k-meeks#.WMhAAjvytPY * https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-meeks-0033ba17/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Female.
EDUCATION:University of Colorado, B.A.; George Washington University, M.B.A., 1995.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Administrator, chief executive officer (CEO), and writer. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, vice president and managing director of Marketing and Philanthropy, 1997-2004, chief administrative officer, 2003-06, acting president and CEO and chief operating officer, 2007-08; Counterpart International, Arlington, VA, CEO, 2008-2010; National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, DC, president and CEO, 2010–. Work-related volunteer experience includes Counterpart International, Arlington, VA, director, 2008-2010; Rare, director, Arlington, VA, 2008-2011; Potomac Conservancy, Silver, Spring, MD, 2009–, including serving as chairman of the board.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Stephanie Meeks has served in several senior executive positions, including serving as chief operating officer and chief executive officer (CEO) at the Nature Conservancy before becoming CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. During her tenure at the trust, Meeks has overseen the establishment of the National Treasures programs, which identifies places across the United States that are significantly threatened and takes direct action through preservation, advocacy, marketing, and fundraising to save them. Meeks is coauthor with Kevin C. Murphy of The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America’s Communities.
Meeks and Murphy, a speechwriter, discuss how how saving and restoring historic places are beneficial to neighborhoods, bringing in good jobs and fostering a more vibrant economy. The authors draw from urban studies scholarship and data from the Preservation Green Lab, a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that explores the value of older buildings to their communities, to show how saving places that define a community is at the heart of historic preservation. According to Meeks and Murphy, saving such places enables future generations to better know their past and to feel connected to those who came before them.
Writing in the introduction to The Past and Future City, Meeks and Murphy note that nearly everyone has places that matter to them. They go on to write: “In a survey of forty years of scientific literature into ‘place attachment,’ psychologist Maria Lewicka concluded that ‘development of emotional bonds with places is a prerequisite of psychological balance and good adjustment. … It helps to overcome identity crises and gives people the sense of stability they need in the ever-changing world.'”
In the process of explaining the importance of saving historic places, Meeks and Murphy also address issues such as accusations that historical preservation often leads to an area’s gentrification. As a result, the authors examine issues such as affordable housing, inequality, and sustainability. They also discuss how difficult aspects of history should be commemorated. The book “explains the critical importance of preservation for all our communities, the ways the historic preservation field has evolved to embrace the challenges of the twenty-first century, and the innovative work being done in the preservation space now,” noted Willis M. Buhle in Reviewer’s Bookwatch.
The Past and Future City concludes with a chapter examining issues surrounding livable cities and the future of historic preservation. In the process, Meeks and Murphy advocated “for policies that work to counteract social and economic inequalities,” as noted by a Publishers Weekly contributor. Dane Carr, writing for Booklist, remarked: The Past and Future City “reveals how historic preservation is more about smart, managed change than simple conservation.”
BIOCRIT
BOOKS
Meeks, Stephanie, and Kevin C. Murphy, The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America’s Communities, Island Press (Washington, DC), 2016.
PERIODICALS
Booklist, September 15, 2016, Dane Carr, review of The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation Is Reviving America’s Communities, p. 5.
Publishers Weekly, September 5, 2016, review of The Past and Future City, p. 71.
Reviewer’s Bookwatch, January, 2017, Willis M. Buhle, review of The Past and Future City.
ONLINE
National Trust for Historic Preservation Web site, https://savingplaces.org/ (June 14, 2017), author profile.*
Stephanie Meeks
President at National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation The George Washington University
Washington D.C. Metro Area 500+ 500+ connections
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Stephanie Meeks has been the president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation since July 2010.
Under her leadership, the National Trust has increased its efforts to save imperiled places, engage new audiences in preservation, and increase the organization’s impact. The Trust has launched an effort to highlight the critical connection between older buildings and vibrant cities, and spearheaded research reflecting the benefits of historic preservation in today’s urban areas. With co-author Kevin Murphy she has written The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities, published by Island Press in September 2016.To demonstrate the power of revitalization and reuse, the Trust established the National Treasures program which brings resources and attention to historic places that reflect the wide contours of the American past, from Teddy Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch to the Houston Astrodome to Joe Frazier’s Gym. The Trust also works to bring a more diverse and younger group of Americans into the preservation movement, and support their efforts in their communities. Through social media and public outreach, the Trust is well on its way toward its goal of enlisting 1.5 million Preservation Allies to its ranks.In addition, the Trust is strategically repositioning its portfolio of 27 historic sites to achieve new levels of stewardship, interpretation, and financial sustainability. Through this work, the Trust is inventing models of shared use -- combining commercial and non-profit uses -- to create enhanced visitor experiences and additional sources of revenue.
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Stephanie’s Articles & Activity
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Could we power our economy with old buildings? [Yes, we can!]
Stephanie Meeks on LinkedIn
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I recently had the opportunity to speak with Kai Ryssdal of Marketplace at length about historic preservation, The Past and Future City, and all the tremendous benefits that can come from reusing existing and historic buildings for contemporary purposes. #historicpreservation #urbanplanning #savingplaces
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For the latest issue of Preservation Magazine, I wrote about the critical importance of the federal historic tax credit.
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Experience
National Trust for Historic Preservation
President and CEO
Company NameNational Trust for Historic Preservation
Dates EmployedJul 2010 – Present Employment Duration6 yrs 11 mos
LocationWashington, DC
Counterpart International
CEO
Company NameCounterpart International
Dates EmployedNov 2008 – Jun 2010 Employment Duration1 yr 8 mos
The Nature Conservancy
Acting President and CEO and Chief Operating Officer
Company NameThe Nature Conservancy
Dates EmployedJan 2007 – Jul 2008 Employment Duration1 yr 7 mos
LocationArlington, VA
The Nature Conservancy
Chief Administrative Officer
Company NameThe Nature Conservancy
Dates EmployedDec 2003 – Dec 2006 Employment Duration3 yrs 1 mo
LocationArlington, VA
The Nature Conservancy
VP and Managing Director, Marketing and Philanthropy
Company NameThe Nature Conservancy
Dates EmployedJul 1997 – Dec 2004 Employment Duration7 yrs 6 mos
LocationArlington VA
The Nature Conservancy
Director of Development and Other
Company NameThe Nature Conservancy
Dates EmployedDec 1990 – Jul 1997 Employment Duration6 yrs 8 mos
LocationArlington, VA
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Education
The George Washington University
The George Washington University
Degree Name Masters Field Of Study Business Administration
Dates attended or expected graduation 1993 – 1995
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
Degree Name BA Field Of Study English
Dates attended or expected graduation 1983 – 1987
Volunteer Experience
Potomac Conservancy
Chairman of the Board
Company NamePotomac Conservancy
Dates volunteeredJan 2009 – Present Volunteer duration8 yrs 5 mos
Cause Environment
Currently serving as Chairman of the Board. Previously served on Governance and Executive Committees.
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Rare
Director
Company NameRare
Dates volunteeredOct 2008 – Oct 2011 Volunteer duration3 yrs 1 mo
Cause Environment
Counterpart International
Director
Company NameCounterpart International
Dates volunteeredNov 2008 – Jun 2010 Volunteer duration1 yr 8 mos
Cause Poverty Alleviation
Stephanie Meeks - President and Chief Executive Officer
Email - smeeks@savingplaces.org
Phone - 202-588-6082
Twitter - @SavePlacesPres
Stephanie Meeks has been the president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation since July 2010. Under her leadership, the National Trust has increased its efforts to revitalize communities, save imperiled places, engage new audiences in preservation, and increase the organization’s impact.
The Trust is leading an effort to highlight the critical connection between older buildings and vibrant cities, and is spearheading original research, data, tools and on-the-ground solutions to promote the reuse and reinvestment of older and historic buildings as the default option in American cities. Through its ReUrbanism initiative, the organization seeks to transform both the perception and practice of preservation, responding to the issues cities face today.
With co-author Kevin Murphy, she has written The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities, published by Island Press in September 2016.
Stephane Meeks
Stephanie Meeks, photographed at the National Trust's Watergate offices in Washington, D.C.
Also during her tenure, the National Trust has established a dynamic new program called National Treasures, which identifies significant threatened places across the United States and takes direct action through preservation, advocacy, marketing, and fundraising to save them. The growing collection of National Treasures, which is close to 100, brings resources and attention to historic places that reflect the wide contours of the American past.
In addition, the National Trust is strategically repositioning its portfolio of 27 historic sites to achieve new levels of stewardship, interpretation, and financial sustainability. Through this work, the Trust is inventing new models for these sites, combining commercial and non-profit uses to create enhanced visitor experiences and additional sources of revenue.
The current work of the National Trust brings a diverse and younger group of Americans into the preservation movement, and supports their efforts in their communities and across the nation. Through cutting-edge use of social media and public outreach, the Trust is well on its way toward its goal of enlisting 1.5 million Preservation Allies to its ranks.
Before joining the National Trust, Stephanie served in several senior executive positions, including chief operating officer and acting president and chief executive officer, during her 17-year career with The Nature Conservancy. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Colorado and an MBA from George Washington University.
The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation Is Reviving America's Communities
Dane Carr
Booklist. 113.2 (Sept. 15, 2016): p5.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
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The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation Is Reviving America's Communities. By Stephanie Meeks and Kevin C. Murphy. Oct. 2016.344p. Island, $30 (9781610917094). 363.3.
Polls consistently find that people's favorite neighborhoods and city blocks almost always contain older buildings. These areas, with their mixed-use, 24/7 activity, also tend to have more consistent commerce and favor the "Great Inversion" of wealthier citizens returning to city centers. Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, explains (with coauthor Murphy) that historic preservation is now focused not only on protecting buildings but also on keeping older structures active and integral to their surroundings. She also cites obstacles to sustaining or creating vital city neighborhoods. Urban density is usually good, but areas packed with cookie-cutter high-rises lack the character to compete with more distinct areas. Affordable urban housing is also hindered by "warehousing," or keeping older buildings off the market for future development. Preservation is important environmentally. Building demolition has a huge carbon footprint and often destroys pre-thermostat structures that were inherently green by design. Meeks even taps moral aspects of zoning regulation. Thoughtful and engaging, Meeks reveals how historic preservation is more about smart, managed change than simple conservation.--Dane Carr
The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation Is Reviving America's Communities
Publishers Weekly. 263.36 (Sept. 5, 2016): p71.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation Is Reviving America's Communities
Stephanie Meeks, with Kevin C. Murphy.
Island (CDC, dist.), $30 (344p) ISBN 978-161091-709-4
Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and speechwriter Murphy make an impassioned and well-argued case for the economic, environmental, and social value of preservation and active reuse of the nation's historic buildings. Drawing on data collected by the trust's own Preservation Green Lab as well as a half-century of urban studies scholarship, Meeks and Murphy seek to counteract the stereotype that preservationists resist change and contribute to gentrification. Across seven chapters, the authors use concrete examples of preservation working to strengthen local communities, encourage economic revitalization, support environmental sustainability, and provide affordable residential and business real estate. They advocate persuasively for preservation that seeks to document all of America's histories, as well as for policies that work to counteract social and economic inequalities. Though smalltown and rural America do appear, the authors disproportionately focus on urban centers such as Boston, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. At times the work reads as a celebration of the National Trust's positive influence on the United States. These weaknesses aside, the book is an articulate call to action that should be of interest to scholars, community organizers, and policy makers in municipalities across the country. (Oct.)
The Past and Future City
Willis M. Buhle
Reviewer's Bookwatch. (Jan. 2017):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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The Past and Future City
Stephanie Meeks & Kevin C. Murphy
Island Press
2000 M St NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036
www.islandpress.org
9781610917087, $60.00, HC, 352 pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: At its most basic, historic preservation is about keeping old places alive, in active use, and relevant to the needs of communities today. As cities across America experience a remarkable renaissance, and more and more young, diverse families choose to live, work, and play in historic neighborhoods, the promise and potential of using our older and historic buildings to revitalize our cities is stronger than ever.
This urban resurgence is a national phenomenon, boosting cities from Cleveland to Buffalo and Portland to Pittsburgh. Experts offer a range of theories on what is driving the return to the city--from the impact of the recent housing crisis to a desire to be socially engaged, live near work, and reduce automobile use. But there's also more to it. Time and again, when asked why they moved to the city, people talk about the desire to live somewhere distinctive, to be some place rather than no place. Often these distinguishing urban landmarks are exciting neighborhoods. Miami boasts its Art Deco district, New Orleans the French Quarter. Sometimes, as in the case of Baltimore's historic rowhouses, the most distinguishing feature is the urban fabric itself.
While many aspects of this urban resurgence are a cause for celebration, the changes have also brought to the forefront issues of access, affordable housing, inequality, sustainability, and how we should commemorate difficult history. "The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities" speaks directly to all of these issues.
In "The Past and Future City", Stephanie Meeks (who is the President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation), describes in detail, and with unique empirical research, the many ways that saving and restoring historic fabric can help a city create thriving neighborhoods, good jobs, and a vibrant economy. She explains the critical importance of preservation for all our communities, the ways the historic preservation field has evolved to embrace the challenges of the twenty-first century, and the innovative work being done in the preservation space now.
Critique: "The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities" is an extraordinary and exceptional study that is especially commended to the attention of anyone who cares about cities, places, and saving America's diverse stories as a way to help us better understand our past, present, and future. Enhanced with the inclusion of fifty pages of Notes, an eight page Bibliography; an eleven page Index, "The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities" is unreservedly recommended as a significant addition to community and academic library Urban Planning collections in general, and Historic Preservation supplemental studies reading lists in particular. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities" is also available in a paperback edition (9781610917094, $30.00) and in a Kindle format ($17.49).
Willis M. Buhle
Reviewer
Buhle, Willis M.