Dr. Chris Pyke, vice president of research for the U.S. Green Building Council, met skepticism when he spoke to UMW students and teachers on Sept. 14 about the design challenges and opportunities associated with the LEED building program. The Green Building Council, based in D.C., introduced LEED in 1998 to encourage the public to adopt responsible building practices with is competitive rating system. During the question and answer period, several people raised concerns with the LEED point system. Professor Michael Spencer, from the historic preservation department, mentioned how the system rewards developers who opt to destroy buildings rather than renovate them. He said LEED gives projects a higher score when builders demolish a building but reuse the old materials. Pyke agreed there are some unintended consequences, but they are trying to fix them. Others discussed the Monroe Hall renovation project and mentioned how LEED influenced builders to throw away materials rather than … [Read more...]
Archives for 2010
Lecture By Rev. W. Brown Morton
Warrenton Virginia is celebrating its Bicentennial this Saturday, September 25. Brown Morton, Professor Emeritus of Mary Washington University and Co-Author of the Guidelines for Historic Preservation for the National Trust will be a special guest. Reverend Brown will give a lecture with a Q and A to follow. All faculty or students interested in attending are invited! Where: Warren Green Building, 10 Hotel Street, Old Town Warrenton When: September 25, 12:30 pm … [Read more...]
Newsletter Reminder
Reminder: Articles must be submitted by next week in order for inclusion in the Winter 2010 department newsletter. It's not too late to write something if you have not already. Remember, these articles are not meant to be difficult and time-consuming. Simply write a paragraph about something historic preservation related and you will get your name put in a published document. Also, anybody else who has participated in an internship over the summer, please send me your short blurbs! The ones I have received thus far are awesome. Due Date: September 27 Send To: mford@mail.umw.edu Thanks for all your help! … [Read more...]
Museum Studies Speaker: Lonnie Bunch
RESCHEDULED TALK! Lonnie Bunch, Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian, will speak to students in the Introduction to Museum Studies class on Wednesday, November 17 in Combs 237 at 11:00 and 2:00. Mr. Bunch will be sharing his experiences heading up the creation of the next museum on the Mall, slated to open in 2015. He was formerly President of the Chicago Historical Society, in which capacity he oversaw its transformation into the Chicago History Museum. Prior to that he served for many years as a curator for the National Museum of American History, including several years as Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs. Visitors are welcome to attend, but should speak to Dr. Sommer prior to the event. … [Read more...]