Last month, Portland played host to a unique gathering of professionals sharing perspectives on how to preserve Black history, places, and memories. Expanding the Black Preservation Movement in Oregon was a first-of-its kind Black preservation symposium hosted by Oregon Black Pioneers, Restore Oregon, and Moreland Resource Consulting of the Albina Preservation Initiative.
Over 70 people spent their morning with us at Portland Community College’s Moriarty Hall on Sat. Sep. 14th. The event featured presentations from a series of panelists, each sharing their strategies for preserving local Black history.
Denyse McGriff, Mayor of Oregon City and the Oregon representative to the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), kicked off the event by introducing featured speaker Brent Leggs. Brent is the Executive Director of the NTHP’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund in Washington, DC. After stressing the importance of preservation in Black communities, Brent offered highlights of his program’s investments in Oregon.
Three panel discussions followed Brent’s keynote, each of which revealed the importance of storytelling and community building in preserving local landmarks. See the full line up below
Throughout the morning, attendees were also encouraged to respond to several questions related to preservation posted throughout the room. Audience members shared the names of buildings within the community that they feel need to be protected, and their thoughts on how to preserve stories in places where no historic structures remain.
The event was a grand success! Attendees were able to create new connections to those working in the field, and left inspired to tackle preservation projects of their own. Survey responses showed an enthusiastic interest in repeating this symposium in the future. Special thanks to the Oregon Cultural Trust, City of Portland, Architectural Heritage Center, and the Mellon Foundation (Just Futures Initiative) for their support of this event.
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Symposium Panelists
Storytelling as a Tool of Preservation
Moderator: Darion Jones, City of Portland
Panelists
Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers
Kayin Davis, Albina Vision Trust
JT Flowers, Albina Vision Trust
The National Register of Historic Places and YOU
Moderator: Chrissy Curran, Oregon Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Panelists
Kimberly Moreland, Moreland Resource Consulting
Brandon Spencer-Hartle, City of Portland
Deborah Roache, Billy Webb Elks Lodge
Community-Driven Preservation Work
Moderator: Kimberly Moreland, Moreland Resource Consulting
Panelists
Gwen Trice, Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center
Michael “Chappie” Grice, Alberta Street Cultural Resources Survey
Initisar Abioto, Artist and exhibit curator