Project Old is Gold: Family Heirlooms and Traditions

I married into a house with a white Christmas tree. I thought it was kind of… ugly. When I made fun of it, my spouse jokingly told me that he bought it because you could decorate it for every holiday. #ChallengeAccepted Little did he know this was to become a defining family tradition. Our “holiday…

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Project Old Is Gold: Parts of a Historic Building & a Scavenger Hunt

I live in the southwest, and my favorite building type here is ADOBE. Adobe, Spanish for mudbrick. Adobe bricks are easy to make, and easy to construct with.  They are durable, yet biodegradable.  As a structure, they are largely fireproof and water resistant, offer excellent thermal efficiency and low sound transmission levels.  There are so…

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Project Old is Gold: My Family Tree

My family tree is ever evolving because there are many roots but also the trees around us which become so entwined with ours that these strangers by birth become family by choice.  Our children have collected aunties and uncles and cousins from our travels around the world, and we are grateful for this extended family.…

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Project Old is Gold: What Historic Preservation Means to Me

What is historic preservation?  Is it remembering our ancestors?  Revitalizing a downtown?  Preserving a ruin?  Practicing a tradition? In the United States, “historic preservation” has often been equated with architectural history.  Specifically, preserving buildings designed by and for WWM (wealthy white men).  But over the last few decades, many in our field have worked not…

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Project Old is Gold: Mission Briefing

The National Trust for Historic Preservation started celebrating Preservation Month in 1973.  There are likely events going on in your community.  The National Trust has a really cool list of 31 ways to celebrate… would make a good monthly challenge!  But this Building Hugger will be completing her Girl Scout Historic Preservation Badge.  You can…

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