Sometimes preservation gets a bad rap as being anti-development. I don’t see preservation that way, quite the contrary, I see it as one of development’s greatest resources. This is why I love that the National Trust for Historic Preservation has dedicated the month of May to raising awareness of preservation advocacy. There are so many ways to get out there and love up on some old buildings this May, I thought I’d put together a list; your one-stop-shop of all things preservation-y!
Friday May 6th: American Swedish Institute – Cocktails at the Castle
A reoccurring event series at the American Swedish Institute, Cocktails at the Castle provides the opportunity to explore this awesome mansion-turned-museum and spend some time sipping cocktails on the lawn.
Saturday May 7th: Preservation Alliance of Minnesota/Weyerhaeuser Museum – Repairing Old Windows Workshop
The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has a series of education programs that give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of historic buildings – they occur all year, but I’m highlighting the ones coming up in May here.
Sunday May 9th: [St. Paul] West Side Community Organization – Jane’s Walk – West Side Walk
This is part of a larger, national program in honor Jane Jacobs, who would have turned 100 years young on May 4th. Her legacy lives on in neighborhood walk-abouts such as this one
May 9th – May 15th: Minnesota Craft Brewer’s Guild: 10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer
The Minnesota Brewer’s Guild dedicates a week in May to highlighting all of Minnesota’s great craft beer. This year it is happening next week – so get out to your favorite brewery, it is probably located in an adaptive reuse project – because #beersavesplaces
Tuesday May 10th: Minnesota History Center – History Flirt: Beyond Bollywood
The Minnesota History Center always has some awesome exhibits – this one coming up looks really cool. They’re hosting a happy hour to celebrate the opening!
Wednesday May 11th: Preserve Minneapolis/MNCommunity – InstaHappyHour at Community Keg House
Instameets are quickly becoming my favorite way to connect people with historic places. MNCommunity and Preserve Minneapolis are teaming up this month to provide some unique experiences at historic locations, starting with this happy hour at Community Keg House!
Thursday May 12th: Preserve Minneapolis/Minneapolis HPC/AIA Minneapolis – HPC Awards Luncheon
A great opportunity to get away from the office over lunch and honor some great historic projects in Minneapolis!
Saturday May 14th: Preservation Alliance of Minnesota/Carver County Historical Society – Preservation Month Celebration at Peterson Farm
More details on this to follow – “like” the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota’s Facebook page to stay up-to-date.
Saturday May 14th: MNCommunity/UMD – Exploring Glensheen Instameet
MNCommunity has been doing an awesome job of connecting the Instagram community with preservation. This month they’re headed to Duluth to check out the historic, and awesome, Glensheen Mansion.
Saturday May 14th: Bent Paddle – Bent Paddle Festiversary 2016
While you’re in Duluth for the Glensheen Instameet, make stop at Bent Paddle and check out their awesome adaptively reused space!
Friday May 14th: MNCommunity/Minneapolis Institute of Arts – State of the Art Instameet
Another cool opportunity from MNCommunity – to explore Mia and gain complimentary access to the “State of the Art” exhibit.
Saturday May 14th: Preservation Alliance of Minnesota/Goodhue County Historical Society – Repairing Old Windows Workshop
Get your historic building education on and learn about repairing old windows, brought to you by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota!
Saturday May 14th: Twin Cities Bungalow Club – 2016 Twin Cities Bungalow Club Home Tour
I really hope I can make it to this one – craftsman bungalows are my favorite residential style.
Sunday May 15th: Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka/Wayzata Historical Society/ Wayzata Heritage Preservation Board – UUCM Church Building Centennial Celebration
This historic church in Wayzata is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this year – in MAY! How awesome is that? better go check it out!
Tuesday May 17th: AIA St. Paul/St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission – St. Paul Heritage Preservation Awards
It’s St. Paul’s turn to celebrate historic projects in their city – not a bad way to spend an evening!
Wednesday May 18th: Preserve Minneapolis – Happy Hour with a Preservationist at 300 Clifton Ave
Photo Courtesy of 300 Clifton
This might be my favorite on the list (probably a tie with Art-a-Whirl). This building has one of the coolest preservation stories that I’ve come across. Plan to join us as we explore the Bradstreet-designed interior and have a social hour on the giant front lawn!
Thursday May 19th: Minneapolis Institute of Arts – Mia Third Thursday: Art of Sustainability
Every third-Thursday of the month the Minneapolis Institute of Arts hosts a little social event, for free, where you can explore the museum and grab yourself a cocktail.
Thursday May 19th: Preservation Alliance of Minnesota – Smartphone Photography Tour of Mill District
This is a really great series that the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is starting – given the popularity of photo-sharing on social media these days, it seems natural that people brush up on their smartphone photography skills while learning about historic buildings!
Friday May 20th – Sunday May 22nd: Art-a-Whirl
Ever been to Art-a-Whirl? It is a truly unique experience, where you can check out artist studios all over NE Minneapolis. Added bonus? Really, really good music. All over the place. Here’s a list of what I have on my calendar:
- Community Keg House
- Grumpy’s NE
- Anchor Fish & Chips
- Dangerous Man
- Psycho Suzi’s
- Water Bar
- A-Mill Artist Lofts
- Bauhaus Brew Labs
- Indeed Brewing Company
- 331 Club
- Oak Tree Arts
- Food Building
- Jackson Flats
Art-a-Whirl is great because it highlights how historic buildings support communities. Northeast Minneapolis has been well served by finding ways to adaptively use existing buildings The result is a dynamic, unique community. You can thank preservation for that.
Saturday May 21st: Preservation Alliance of Minnesota – Historic Irvine Park Walking Tour
This is a wildly popular tour of an awesome historic neighborhood in St. Paul. You won’t want to miss this one.
Thursday May 26th: Preserve Minneapolis/MNCommunity – Inbound Brewery Instameet
More details to follow on this one, too. Inbound BrewCo is a very unique space, just opening last month. The building is an otherwise nondescript 1960’s warehouse that has been completely transformed into a trendy brewery. You gotta check it out.
Do you know of anything that should be on this list? Leave the details in the comments!
In addition to these events, there are some promotions going on that you should know about:
MNCommunity/MakeitMN: Photo Contest Between May 1st – May 15th post a photo on Instgram that you feel exemplifies what makes your community special (ehhhumm, historic buildings, ehhhumm) and use the hashtag #MakeitMN_MNCommunity.
City of Minneapolis: In honor of Preservation Month the City of Minneapolis wants to see your favorite historic buildings in the minni-apple! Post your photos on any of the medias with between May 1st – May 31st using the hashtag #MPLSPreservation.
Ok, that’s a lot of stuff to do.
How are you going to celebrate Preservation Month? I would LOVE to see you post some photos of your preservation adventures! Hashtag them with #MNPreservationCelebration to show me what you’re up to – also be sure to use the hashstag #ThisPlaceMatters and follow @SavingPlaces on Instagram to stay connected with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as they work to save the places that are most important to us!