About this Event
Join us for a conversation with award-winning preservationist Anthony Wood about his most recent book, Servant of Beauty: Landmarks, Secret Love, and the Unimagined Life of an Unsung New York Hero. Wood will be joined by Vermont preservationist Emily Wadhams to explore the remarkable life of civic advocate and preservation champion Albert Sprague Bard.
An early opponent of billboards and a passionate civic activist for the right of cities to protect and preserve their architectural heritage, Bard was the force behind the 1965 New York City Landmarks Law and an adversary of powerbroker Robert Moses. Bard’s persistence and courage as a preservationist offer enduring lessons in the 21st century for those committed to preserving the communities they love.
Servant of Beauty: Landmarks, Secret Love, and the Unimagined Life of an Unsung New York Hero will be available for purchase and signing.
Emily Wadhams is a historic preservation professional with an extensive background in public policy, state administration, and private consultancy. Her work emphasizes the practical and environmental benefits of maintaining the built environment. As vice president for public policy at the National Trust for Historic Preservation (2004–2011), she managed the organization’s Sustainability Program. In this role, she advocated for the environmental benefits of reusing and retrofitting older buildings, framing preservation as a key strategy for carbon reduction and resource conservation. She led the Division for Historic Preservation at the State of Vermont as the state historic preservation officer (1998–2003). Emily specialized in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings for affordable housing, demonstrating how existing structures can meet modern social needs while preserving community character. She holds an MS from the University of Vermont’s Historic Preservation Program.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, United States
USD 0.00
