network news Michigan Historic Preservation Network August 2014 MHPN Plans 20th Annual Fall Benefit Gala Members and friends of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN) have gotten together every fall for twenty years. Not to advocate for legislation, or to convene for a workshop, or to do long-range planning. They get together to have a great time at the MHPN’s Annual Fall Benefit! The MHPN always chooses a noteworthy historic venue as the evening’s backdrop. “Most often we have been in Detroit at such landmark buildings as the Fisher, Grand Army of the Republic, or Guardian,” notes Nancy Finegood, MHPN Executive Director, “or at such venerable gathering spots as the Detroit Athletic, Golf, or Yacht Clubs. Many times, we have traveled to other parts of the state to enjoy the Union Station in Durand, the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, or the Masonic Temple in Ypsilanti.” This fall, the MHPN will be at the Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater, a building with a story of stunning reclamation. Detroit architect Mortimer Smith designed the exquisite Second Empire façade of the Tibbits Opera House built in 1882. In the 1930s, the theatre had every shred of exterior 19th century detailing destroyed during its conversion into a “modern” Art Deco movie theater. Removal of the Deco façade in the 1960s and covering the original brick to conserve it until restoration funds could be raised, reduced the building to a characterless box whose importance lay hidden. The Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council, Inc. proposed in 1999 to have the theatre restored to its original grandeur. Funds were raised, scaffolding went up in February of 2012, and façade work was completed later in 2013. Christine Delaney, Executive Director of the Tibbits Opera House, has written that restoration of the building to its original magnificence has had a far-reaching effect The Tibbits Opera House before (below) and after on the theatre, the community, and architectural preservation in general. “People who (above) its amazing transformation were not familiar with Tibbits had no way of recognizing the value of the building,” (images courtesy of the Tibbits Opera House). Delaney noted. “The restored facade has drawn an increase in theatergoers through a renewed interest in the facility and Tibbits’ programs, which in turn is having a very positive impact on the local economy.” “We welcome the public to this 20th annual event,” states Emily Jarvi, MHPN Fall Benefit Manager for the past five years. “It includes strolling dinner fare and dessert, a hosted beer and wine bar, opera house tours, silent and live auctions, and more.” RSVP by Friday, October 3 on-line or by printing a registration form at www.mhpn. org. The website also includes information on the evening’s commuter bus originating in Southeast Michigan and requiring an earlier RSVP by Wednesday, September 10. Fall Benefit tickets are $100 per person, or $75 for students and government employees; the commuter bus adds $38 per person round-trip. The Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 South Hanchett Street in Coldwater, MI 49036. The facility is barrier free; some portions visited during the tours are not. City parking is across the street and free. Dress is business attire. For more information, go to the MHPN website at www.mhpn. org, call 517-371-8080, or e-mail [email protected]. 2 Call for Abstracts “Always Seeking Modern” The Michigan Historic Preservation Network announces its 35th Annual Statewide Preservation Conference May 13-16, 2015, in the City of Midland, headquartered on the campus of Northwood University. You are invited to submit a session abstract to be considered for presentation. Deadline: Sunday, September 14, 2014, midnight. Abstracts are invited from Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas as well as from neighboring states and Canada and may come from individuals and panels. The City of Midland was home to Alden B. Dow and today offers • Emphasizing preservation’s power to spur “destination tourism,” one of the most impressive concentrations of Modern design in the “new urbanism,” “traditional downtowns,” and more. nation. We confirmed Midland as our host city during “Michigan Modern: Design that Shaped America,” the symposium and Track Two: “Information” looks at the laws, policies, designations, exhibition at Cranbrook that during the summer of 2013 drew the and incentives available to protect and continue to use the historic nation’s attention to the significant role Michigan played in the resources that were our predecessors’ successes at inventiveness global development of Modernism. This role was amplified when and modernity. Consider: the exhibition was expanded and opened at the Grand Rapids Art Museum this summer, again with an accompanying symposium. • Integrating the various programs of tax credits and loans, assistance, easements, etc., and working with all parties involved We have thought about how best to focus on Modernism on financial packages that make preservation projects succeed. while assuring that architectural historians, preservationists, • Becoming familiar with the laws and policies, the codes and archaeologists, as well as all their related allies can contribute to the procedures needed to effectively advocate for preservation. program in their own ways and find their participation worthwhile. • Identifying best practices in historic preservation, land use, We can do this by making the following point: We may be calling and cultural activities that can be primary to a community’s mid-twentieth century design “Modern,” but when has anyone revitalization, not just a sidelight. designed or built anything to be outdated? Whether prehistoric 17th century Woodland Period cultures constructing shelters, the Track Three: “Applied Skills” taps those who participate in the 18th century French building Fort St. Joseph at Niles, 19th century MHPN’s Historic Resource Council and focus on the traditional Victorians abandoning Classicism and experimenting with trades, crafts, and hands-on techniques that make preservation every building system from framing to plumbing, or Alden Dow possible. Ideas might include: perfecting the Unit Block, each sought to be original, inventive, new. Thus springs our working title, “Always Seeking Modern.” • Presenting inspirational case studies of once-modern buildings saved from demolition, adaptively reused, and returned to Conference Tracks: inventive new uses. • Considering the connections between preservation and the The Midland Conference will include the MHPN’s usual five Green Movement and LEED rating systems to demonstrate that tracks. Would an idea of yours have a good fit? historic buildings, once new and cutting-edge, can be energy efficient again. Track One: “Theme” focuses on the conference theme of “Always • Showcasing the people doing hands-on work with historic Seeking Modern” and considers a wide array of options, many of resources, both trade professionals and those working on their which dovetail with the preservation’s emphasis on placemaking. own properties. Some ideas include: Track Four: “Partners” provides the opportunity for theme- • Tapping the wide variety of historic and pre-historic resources related presentations by, among others, MSHDA’s State Historic whose makers sought to be original and inventive—including Preservation Office, State Archaeologist, and Michigan Main buildings, structures, sites, objects, features, natural open Street Program; the Michigan Barn Preservation Network; spaces, and man-made landscapes, either alone or as cultural those conserving cultural landscapes; members of the Michigan ensembles. Archaeological Society and the Conference on Michigan • Considering the usefulness of these resources to preservation as Archaeology; and members of other allied groups such as an economic stimulant for Michigan communities. the organization for the Documentation and Conservation of 3 Call for Abstracts (continued) Buildings, Sites and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement o E-mail (DOCOMOMO), The Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), o Confirmation that each speaker is available Thursday and and The Association for Preservation Technology (APT). Friday, May 14-15, 2015. o For a panel, who is best to contact with any questions. Track Five: “Tours” presents tours developed by the host community to showcase the conference theme and inspire participants. • Biography: 150 words or less for each speaker, covering such Abstracts are not called for this track, but your ideas are welcomed things as education, relevant experience, role in a project, etc. and will be shared with the Planning Group. Deadline: Abstracts are due on or before Sunday, September 14, Abstract Submission: An Abstract must include the following six 2014, by midnight, to Janet Kreger ([email protected]), conference parts. Prepare and submit them via e-mail as a Word document. No co-manager; she will acknowledge its arrival by return e-mail. scanned or .pdf documents please. Janet, or another member of the Planning Group, will respond to e-mailed questions you • Title: Provide a title might have as you prepare that will capture the your Abstract. Sample audience’s attention. Abstracts are available on request. • Summary: In 300 words or less, describe Acceptance/Decline the session. This and MHPN Terms Summary allows the of Participation: The Selection Committee Selection Committee will to understand what you notify selected speakers on propose to achieve. or before Sunday, October The MHPN endorses 5,