Portland’s Historic Preservation Wins and Losses

Even well before the implementation of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act, the Portland area witnessed many important buildings saved and many lost. Over the past 50 years preservationists have continued to work tirelessly, preserving many of the most well-recognized buildings and neighborhoods, while still facing an uphill battle against demolitions. Working with city officials, community groups, and other preservation-minded groups and individuals, we continue to work to save Portland’s architectural heritage for current and future generations to better appreciate and understand our past.

Please join us as members of the AHC Education and Advocacy committees share stories of important historic preservation wins and losses in the Portland area. You’ll hear how Pioneer Courthouse was saved (more than once) from the wrecking ball and how the dismantling of Harbor Drive helped those trying to save Old Town from further destruction. We’ll also learn about the losses – especially neighborhoods wiped out by urban renewal and freeway development and some notable landmarks, like Portland’s Union Stockyard building and the Orpheum Theater.

We think you’ll come away from this important program with a better understanding of the variety of motivations behind the preservation movement and the physical and mental frameworks in which preservation “battles” have been fought in Portland over the past several decades.

Sponsored by: WILLCO

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 Grand Marketplace. Do not use the lot where Dutch Bros. Coffee is located. Thank you to Bolliger and Sons Insurance for sharing their lot with us for our evening and Saturday education programs.

Image: Pioneer Courthouse (1869), Photo via Wikimedia Commons.