At a Glance: The Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh

Written by Derek King, Architectural Historian at Preservation Studios.

Not surprisingly, Preservation Pennsylvania has announced that the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh (YPA ) will be honored at the 2013 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards ceremony with the prestigious Chairman’s Award.  The YPA recently hosted the kick-off cocktail reception for the Statewide Conference on Heritage.  This is an organization worth watching.

DJ for the kick-off reception for
 the Statewide Conference on Heritage

The cocktail reception was held at the Wigle Whiskey, an adaptive reuse project and the first new distillery in Pittsburgh since Prohibition.  Gerrod Winston, Chairperson of YPA, spoke passionately about their 2013 Top Ten list of the Best Preservation Opportunities in the Pittsburgh area.  A full house of preservationists, planners, neighbors and friends sipped cocktails and listened with interest.  Other board members, such as Derek Eversmann and Katy Sawyer, were on hand to answer questions.  It is clear that this dynamic group invests much personal time and energy educating and inspiring a new generation to appreciate their history and improve their neighborhoods.

Gerrod Winston, Chair, YPA

For the past 10 years, the YPA has compiled an annual list of the Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities in the Pittsburgh region. Nominated by community members, the Top Ten highlights endangered historic sites that have a good chance for restoration and reuse. Among the success stories of the 100 sites nominated over the past decade are: The Armstrong Cork Factory, The Union Project, and the Dormont Pool.  All of these projects demonstrate the economic and community benefits of historic preservation.

Three of the "2013 TOP TEN" on display

For more information on YPA’s mission and projects, visit their website at: www.youngpreservationists.org

“Give Life to History”

Written by Karen Kennedy, Architectural Historian and Principal at TKS Historic Resources Inc.