biography
I have always been drawn to the tangible remnants of history. Whether it is architecture, photos, old business ledgers or even century old kitchen utensils, I see the embodiment of a forgotten story or record just waiting to be recovered, expanded and preserved. Few cities offer as many and as easily accessible cultural and historic opportunities as Washington, D.C, where I was raised. I grew up with frequent family outings to historic sites and museums, and when family friends moved into a late 18th and early 19th century plantation house, long surrounded by a neighborhood of post-WWII starter homes, I was a kid in my own kind of candy store. From the preserved wall scribbling of long-ago imprisoned Civil War soldiers to the various out buildings, I was undeniably in my element. On every visit I would ask for yet another tour and opportunity to learn more of the story. I was hooked for life.
Recognizing that college offered my first opportunity to fully indulge my passion I logically chose to head south to Charleston, South Carolina, a city abound with historic architecture and early American history. Eventually the bright lights and metropolis of Chicago called me north and I seized the opportunity to expand my repertoire via a double major in architectural history and urban planning. I graduated from DePaul University in 1999 and soon took a great position with the Chicago Architecture Foundation working to promote the public’s understanding and appreciation of Chicago’s legendary architecture and urban planning. While in Chicago my appreciation of history evolved to include the architectural legacy of even the most recent skyscraper. Thus I decided Chicago was the best place for me to return to school for a degree in Historic Preservation. In 2006 I graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Master of Science degree uniquely combining equal parts conservation, architectural history and preservation planning.
Since graduate school I have worked primarily in the for-profit sector at architecture firms as an archivist and preservationist. For two different firms I put my knowledge of architecture, preservation and archiving to use enhancing their promotional efforts. In the spring of 2009 I seized an opportunity to return to my roots as an independent consultant in architectural history and preservation.
