My Preservation Journey

I was fortunate to grow up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—a city shaped by the giants of the Industrial Revolution: Carnegie, Mellon, Westinghouse, Frick, Heinz, and others whose legacy lives on not only in industry but in the city’s rich architectural heritage. Pittsburgh was a living museum, and even as a child, I felt that every historic home had a story worth telling.

My path next took me to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where history was part of everyday life. Walking the cobblestone streets, I’d gaze at the beautifully preserved architecture, each building offering a glimpse into the past. Community conversations often centered around preservation, and I was honored to be invited to join the Lancaster Historic Society—an organization whose membership is by invitation only. That invitation launched a decade-long relationship rooted in the shared mission to preserve Lancaster’s architectural and cultural history.

While in Lancaster, I served as a docent at Wheatland, the home of President James Buchanan. My interest extended beyond tours—I immersed myself in the family’s history, especially Buchanan’s niece, Harriet Lane. I located images of her gowns, faithfully reproduced three of them, and wore them while leading my personal tours. I soon began lecturing on both the Buchanan family and the home's architectural significance. I also contributed to fundraising efforts, including the beloved Victorian Christmas Dinner Party, which became so popular we were sold out a year in advance.

My career then took me to California, where I spent over 30 years and traveled extensively across the U.S. and Europe. During these travels, I always carved out time to explore historic districts, speak with preservation professionals, and learn from their experiences. A highlight of this period was working in Italy for three years, where I experienced preservation at its most profound. From Madrid to Morocco, I engaged with preservation efforts that spanned continents and centuries.

In Southern California, I delved into the region’s layered history—particularly the Post-WWII to Mid-Century Modern period. I explored academic archives at USC, UCLA, and public libraries, attended countless lectures, and became familiar to the LA Conservancy. Experiencing iconic Case Study Houses and landmark works by significant architects in person was both educational and deeply inspiring.

After retiring from my corporate career in 2008, I earned my real estate license. I soon realized that many designated historic homes were being sold without proper guidance—buyers unaware of the stewardship such properties required. This led me to specialize as a historic real estate consultant, committed to matching the right buyers with the right properties, and ensuring preservation-minded transitions.

My advocacy caught the attention of the Mayor of Pomona, who appointed me as a Historic Commissioner. As a commissioner, I worked on reviewing and updating city ordinances, collaborating with neighboring municipalities, enforcing preservation compliance, and advising the Planning Commission to balance development with historic integrity. One major initiative we spearheaded was the adoption of a "Demolition by Neglect" ordinance—first implemented in Pomona and later adopted by other cities throughout Los Angeles County.

Two legacy projects stand out in my career:

• La Casa Alvarado Estate – A nationally designated historic property and the only privately owned prairie-style hacienda in the U.S. I had the privilege of marketing and selling the estate, curating its historic portfolio, and ensuring the right buyer would honor its significance.

• Highland Hall in Hollidaysburg, PA – When this institutional landmark was slated for demolition, I launched an anonymous preservation campaign from California, mobilizing community action. The effort succeeded: the demolition was halted, and a private developer repurposed the site as a retirement campus. Only later did I reveal my role to the local historical society—it was my gift to a town that shaped my early love for history.

Throughout my career, I remained active in professional circles, serving on the Governmental Affairs Board of the Citrus Valley Association of Realtors. I represented not only the City of Pomona but also the broader preservation interests of the San Gabriel Valley. That role gave me access to both state and federal representatives, including Congresswoman Judy Chu, whose leadership helped protect the San Gabriel Mountains with a National Monument designation. I was proud to stand among those in the preservation community when President Obama formally recognized that achievement.

While we can’t save every structure, every effort counts. Preservation is not just about buildings—it’s about community, memory, and identity.

And for me, the work continues.