Preservation workshop to feature renowned speaker

The city of Springfield Landmarks Board and the organization Preservation Springfield will present a daylong workshop on historic preservation, according to a news release from the Landmarks Board.

The event will take place 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the historic Commercial Street Firehouse No. 2 at 201 E. Commercial.

The workshop is especially designed for local and regional historic sites boards and commissions, city leaders, neighborhood boards of directors, or any citizens interested in historic preservation.

The event will kick off the 30th annual National Historic Preservation Week, May 13-19, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

According to the release, the keynote speaker will be J. Myrick Howard, president of Preservation North Carolina and one of the nation's most renowned preservationists.

Howard has led the organization since 1978. Preservation North Carolina has won awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic House Association of America, the Governor's Business Council on the Arts and Humanities, and the National Parks Service.

Its endangered properties program was the first of its kind in the nation.

Also speaking will be Patrick Steele, historic preservation manager for the city of Independence. Steele has been involved in preservation for the past 25 years.

Mark Miles, assistant director of the Historic Preservation Program for the state of Missouri, and Jo Ann Radetic, certified local government coordinator for the state also will appear.

Helen White, president of Preservation Springfield, said, "We are delighted to bring speakers of this caliber to our city for training. This could not happen without the help of the city of Springfield and other corporate sponsors. Leadership and education are the foundations that help revitalize communities, and this training workshop will help broaden our audience and forge new relationships."

Registration for the event is $75, which includes membership in Preservation Springfield, or $50 without the membership.

For more information call Bill Pierceall at 417-866-7000 or Susie Wieland at 417-869-0229.