Rehabilitating Our Historic Sensibilities
Simon W. Herbert
In the 1950’s and 60’s and 70’s, the hopes and promises of Urban Renewal
nearly took away our understanding of the historic built environment.
Since that time we have begun to reclaim our villages, towns and urban environments
that in so many cases became altered beyond recognition.
The drive to reclaim what was lost to the wrecking ball and bulldozer has
been more than an interest in simply replacing missing buildings or reversing
the consequences of inept planning. It stems from something far more basic.
- It comes from a better understanding of the importance of the mental,
physical and spiritual health of people.
- It comes from knowing that people’s sense of community and belonging
are critical to the well-being of the places we live in.
- It comes from knowing that quality matters, however humble the structure,
- That integrity of character in the built environment is valuable,
- That the preservation and care of our past enriches our present and
passes on an irreplaceable legacy to the future.
- That quality of design, whether it be an existing or new building
is to be cherished, encouraged and rewarded.
- That there is a “soul” to a place and that we help shape that soul.
- And that our access to nature, vistas and the elements help to maintain
a healthy perspective on life.
The reciprocal relationship between healthy people and healthy environments
is undeniable and I learned some important lessons during my one day experience
as a juror for the 2003 Memphis Heritage awards.
In Memphis and Memphians I see a deep-rooted pride of place which should
be the envy of those living in many towns and cities. It is the efforts of
all of you here, and those who came before and those who will come after you,
which will shape the future of Memphis.
I see incredible vision and energy being applied to projects which will
continue to encourage and educate others about the possibilities of making
Memphis a better place to live, work and visit.
Like the repair of an historic building, the rehabilitation of our historic
sensibilities takes time, time to recognize and time to understand the things
we believe to be important, and the time and resources to implement them.
Memphians, Dream-on!
Simon Herbert is Director of the Arkansas Institute
for Building Preservation Trades (AIBPT), a new state-sponsored preservation
training program located in neighboring Helena, Arkansas. A program
of the Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, the goal
of the AIBPT is to educate men and women in the theory and practice of historic
building restoration and repair. Herbert's involvement in historic preservation
work began as assistant head carpenter on a restoration project in the Hudson
Valley, New York, area during the early 1980s. He laater gained experience
as an architectural conservator, preservation carpenter, and project and
site manager for preservation projects. In 1994 he joined the faculty
of the Building Preservation and restoration program at Belmont Technical
College as Associate Professor until joining the AIBPT. Simon holds
a Master of Science Degree in Historic Preservation from the University of
Pennsylvania, and a BA Degree in Industrial Design from Ravensbourne College
of Art and Design in Kent, England. Simon may be reached by email at
sherbert@pccua.edu