"Keeping History Above Water: Annapolis" Conference Confronts Heritage Resilience In A Changing Climate

NEWPORT, R.I., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The second Keeping History Above Water conference, held October 29 through November 1 in Annapolis, Maryland, brought 275 attendees from around the world to discuss the impact of sea level rise on historic coastal communities. The first conference, organized by the Newport Restoration Foundation in 2016, sought to raise awareness of the different ways in which sea level rise impacts historic buildings, landscapes, and neighborhoods, and highlighted what might be done to protect those resources. The conference in Annapolis continued that conversation, with a series of lectures, workshops, roundtables and tours.

Keeping History Above Water: Annapolis, Alternatives for Coastal Communities, held at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, brought together the climate heritage community, as well as scientists, architects, planners and policy leaders to discuss important themes in the field which included planning for rising tides, protection and adaptation, and the need for urgent action. The City of Annapolis' Cultural Resource Hazard Mitigation Plan was highlighted, using guidelines from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to identify cultural resources within the 100-year floodplain and assess them in terms of their historic significance, and also what FEMA calls "community value." Sessions went deeper into the planning process, and the importance of public outreach in determining what to prioritize when preparing for climate change. Speakers described ways in which historic buildings can "live with water," through elevation and other methods such as using furniture and historic materials proven to be resistant to water damage over time. The urgency to act was noted throughout all the sessions, with speakers emphasizing the need for planners and politicians not to underestimate the scope of climate change or invest in short-term solutions.

The Newport Restoration Foundation selected the City of Annapolis as the second conference host because the city includes a large National Historic Landmark District and many historic and cultural assets and strong city leadership in the multi-year initiative, Weather It Together: Protecting Our Historic Seaport Community. This initiative generated the city's Cultural Resource Hazard Mitigation Plan, along with implementation strategies to reduce the risk of damage or loss to private and public properties most vulnerable to the effects of rising tides. In 2016, Annapolis was named one of ten cities selected to be part of the National League of Cities Leadership in Community Resilience Program.

After two successful conferences on this subject, the Newport Restoration Foundation will build upon this momentum by applying insights and strategies to the organization's work in Newport, Rhode Island, and will continue bringing heritage practitioners, policy makers, climate scientists, and the public together for events in the year ahead.

Newport Restoration Foundation also plans to bring more awareness about heritage resilience and climate change issues to the Newport community through local programming and educational events.  On December 12 at 3:00 pm, Roger Williams University graduate students will present examples of how to resiliently rehabilitate historic buildings. The event, held at NRF's 29 Touro Street building, is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Visit newportrestoration.org/learning/programs for more information.

"This is a critical issue for historic coastal communities", said Wendy Nicholas, NRF's Interim Executive Director.  "Our Board of Trustees is committed to helping Newport and other communities address the threats of sea level rise.  As an owner of a large portfolio of Colonial era houses which stand in the floodplain, NRF is in a unique position to test adaptations that can help protect vulnerable buildings.  We will do that work and share the results with other property owners." 

Those interested in learning more about Keeping History Above Water: Annapolis will find the list of the 2017 conference speakers as well as day-by-day recaps of the proceedings at HistoryAboveWater.org. For further inquiries about conferences and programming opportunities, please email at [email protected].

About Keeping History Above Watertm

The first edition of Keeping History Above Water: Newport was organized by the Newport Restoration Foundation in April 2016 to address the challenges posed to historic buildings and neighborhoods from sea level rise and increasing storm activity. The conference emphasized practical approaches to protecting historic built environments in both the near and long term, at individual building, infrastructure, and policy levels. Keeping History Above Water: Newport featured an international slate of panelists with expertise in climate science, a wide range of knowledge in heritage preservation, and experience in community organizing around this increasingly urgent global concern. Newport Restoration Foundation has an ongoing interest in advancing knowledge related to sea level rise, not just in Newport, but in other historic coastal communities across the country. NRF's intent is to see Keeping History Above Water continue to advance public understanding and develop solutions through traveling each year to other vulnerable communities facing similar threats, expanding the conversation nationally and globally. For more information on Keeping History Above Water, visit HistoryAboveWater.org.

About the Newport Restoration Foundation

Founded in 1968, the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is dedicated to promoting and investing in the architectural heritage of the Newport community, the traditional building trades, and Doris Duke's fine and decorative arts collections, for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all. NRF also supports research and education in areas that relate directly to its collections and to issues of critical concern to the field of historic preservation.

NRF is on Twitter @NPTRestoration, Facebook /NPTRestoration and Instagram @NPTRestoration. Visit NewportRestoration.org for more information.

Newport Restoration Foundation
51 Touro Street
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 849-7300
www.newportrestoration.org

NEWPORT CONTACT: Meaghan Barry
(401) 846-4152 x112
[email protected]

SOURCE Newport Restoration Foundation