Saving Places
Learn the history of Huntsville as the City celebrates Historic Preservation Month in May. Spearheaded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the observance seeks to heighten awareness about the wonderful buildings and places that are part of our shared history.
The National Trust shares historic preservation content each year during a monthlong campaign to inspire discussions about preservation, why it’s important and how you can get involved. The campaign further encourages people to share the historic places and spaces that are meaningful to them through social media.
Use the hashtag #PeopleSavingPlaces on your preferred social media platforms to join the national conversation.
2024 #PEOPLESAVINGPLACESHSV CAMPAIGN
To celebrate learning about preservation and local history, the City is partnering with local organizations and businesses to showcase events and activities you can participate in throughout the month. City Blog articles and social media posts will provide additional context during Preservation Month.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
“The Economics of Historic Preservation” with Donovan Rypkema
Thursday, May 2 at 11 a.m., Ridley Hall, Church of the Nativity, 208 Eustis Avenue
Huntsville’s historic city center is widely recognized as a preservation success story. To help explore more opportunities for preservation and adaptive reuse projects across Huntsville, the City has invited Donovan Rypkema, principal of PlaceEconomics, to speak at a public event about downtown, neighborhood and commercial district revitalization and the reuse of historic buildings. Based in Washington, D.C., PlaceEconomics is a real estate and economic development consulting firm, specializing in the nexus of historic preservation and economics. Attendees are invited to bring their lunch.
Five Points PorchFest
Saturday, May 4 from 4-9 p.m.
Five porches on Pratt Avenue will host musicians from Huntsville, Nashville and the Shoals for a unique evening of live performances. Bring a blanket, chair and cooler to enjoy the show! Please do not park on Pratt Avenue.
Footsteps of History: Downtown Huntsville Walking Tours
Saturday, May 11 & May 18 at 10 a.m.
Led by City Preservation Planner Katie Stamps, the free Downtown Huntsville Walking Tour brings to life the evolution and history of Huntsville’s downtown commercial district from the City’s earliest settlers to the Space Race and beyond. Attendees will learn about local history, notable citizens and a diverse collection of architectural styles. Central to the tour is how urban renewal impacted Huntsville’s city center and how those changes were a catalyst for national and local preservation movements.
The downtown walking tour begins and ends at the historic First National Bank at 216 West Side Square and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Walking tour participants should bring only what they can carry comfortably (water, sunscreen, light snacks). Spring weather can be unpredictable in Alabama, so dress accordingly!
Preservation Happy Hour
Thursday, May 16 from 5-6 p.m.
If you are interested in history and preservation and would like to meet and network with like-minded professionals, property owners, advocates and volunteers, come to Baker & Able, the rooftop bar located at 106 Jefferson Hotel, on May 16. Hosted by City Preservation Planner Katie Stamps, this casual event is open to the public and does not require tickets or reservations. Beverages and small plates will be available for purchase.
PARTICIPATE ON SOCIAL
We invite residents to participate on social media by sharing their favorite historic places using the hashtag #PeopleSavingPlacesHsv.
Learn more by following the hashtag #PeopleSavingPlacesHsv and visiting HHPC’s Facebook and Instagram.
