The New Deal's Local Legacy: Pioneering Historic Preservation and a Landscape Aesthetic

POSTPONED DUE TO STATE ADVISED COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS. A RESCHEDULED PROGRAM DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

Timberline Lodge provides lasting evidence that beauty could result from the country’s greatest economic crisis. While Timberline is the best known of the Depression era’s Oregon projects, further examination of the New Deal’s long list of agencies produces impressive evidence of a legacy in our midst. The roots of historic preservation in our region started with HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey) and WPA (Works Progress Administration) construction projects not only helped provide jobs to the unemployed, they cemented the concept of a regional landscape aesthetic such as that found in the Rocky Butte Scenic Drive and the amenities of Overlook Park.

In this updated presentation, Judith Kenny will consider the contributions of famous regional architects, such as Ellis F. Lawrence and Jamieson Parker, as well as some lesser-known local artisans. Judith will explore the New Deal projects in the Portland area that contributed to the preservation of our pioneer architectural heritage and the development of a regional landscape style. Judith is a member of the AHC Education Committee, walking tour docent, and a retired professor of Geography and Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

This lecture program is held at the Architectural Heritage Center - 701 SE Grand Avenue

Parking is on-street (free on Saturdays) or in the parking lot on the west side of Grand Avenue between SE Yamhill and Belmont Streets - just to the north of the Urbanite. Thank you to Bolliger and Sons Insurance for sharing their lot with us for our evening and Saturday education programs.

Image: Viewpoint at Rocky Butte. Photo by Judith Kenny.