Oral Histories
The Archive Project conducts an oral history program dedicated to documenting the experiences of New York City preservationists. By collecting eye-witness accounts of moments in preservation history, NYPAP aims to create a verifiable record of the movement and ensure that the work of these preservationists is not forgotten. Whenever possible, transcripts of the resulting interviews are made available on this website. Both one-on-one interviews and public programs have been employed.
If you are interested in sharing your own preservation experiences in an oral history, or if you are a student interested in interviewing a preservationist, please contact us.
Individual Interviews
Over the years, NYPAP has conducted a series of oral histories with preservationists who were directly involved in much of the groundbreaking legislation and grassroots activism of the 20th century. Many, though not all, of these interviews have been transcribed and are available for download below. Audio and/or video recordings of the remaining interviews, as well as supporting documentation and images, can be accessed upon request.
Seymour Boyers: the Landmarks Preservation Bill
Simon Breines
Doris Diether
Norval White: the destruction of Penn Station
Penn Station Veterans
In 2003, NYPAP held an event commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the demolition of Pennsylvania Station. Interviews were conducted with a group of "Penn Station Veterans" who had protested the desuctruction of the station.
Diana Goldstein
Lee Pomeroy
Giorgio Cavaglieri
Jordan Gruzen
Michael Zimmer
Ed Acker
Stanley Judd
Laurel Lovrek
William Conklin
Sanford Malter
Costas Machlouzarides
Peter Samton
Diana Goldstein
Lee Pomeroy
Giorgio Cavaglieri
Jordan Gruzen
Michael Zimmer
Ed Acker
Stanley Judd
Laurel Lovrek
William Conklin
Sanford Malter
Costas Machlouzarides
Peter Samton
Sages & Stages
In 2004 and 2005, NYPAP held the program "Sages and Stages: a Series of Cross-generational Conversations on Preservation Practice and Philosophy." Each session featured a seasoned preservation veteran in conversation with an emerging preservation leader, discussing issues that have been and continue to be central to the preservation movement in New York City.
2004
Historic Districts: Otis Pratt Pearsall in conversation with Andrew Berman
Preservation Politics: Fred Papert in conversation with Ken Lustbader
Preservation Advocacy: Jack Taylor in conversation with Kate Wood
Preservation Planning: Ed Kirkland in conversation with Eddie Nelms
2005
Coming soon...
Pratt Institute's Public History Class
Since 2007, the New York Preservation Archive Project has conducted an oral history project in partnership with Pratt Institute's graduate program in Historic Preservation. In consultation with NYPAP's Chairman and Administrator, students in the Public History class are taught how to prepare for and conduct oral histories. They are then matched with an experienced preservationist, and the resulting conversations are recorded and transcribed.
Fall 2007 - preservation in the 1980s
Hal Bromm - TriBeCa historic district designation and the early days of HDC
Robert Kornfeld, Sr. - Riverdale historic district designation
Joyce Matz - preservation campaigns including the City and Suburban Homes, and St. Bart's
Lorna Nowve - the early years of the Historic Districts Council (HDC)
Joe Rosenberg - the early days of the Historic Districts Council and the fight to protect historic Broadway theatres
Jack Taylor - Drive to Protect the Ladies' Mile Historic District, Luchow's restaurant, and the Dvorak House
Robert Kornfeld, Sr. - Riverdale historic district designation
Joyce Matz - preservation campaigns including the City and Suburban Homes, and St. Bart's
Lorna Nowve - the early years of the Historic Districts Council (HDC)
Joe Rosenberg - the early days of the Historic Districts Council and the fight to protect historic Broadway theatres
Jack Taylor - Drive to Protect the Ladies' Mile Historic District, Luchow's restaurant, and the Dvorak House
Fall 2008 - preservation in the 1970s
Thom Bess - designation of the Longwood Historic District
Bronson Binger - Former Assistant Commissioner for Capital Projects at the NYC Parks Department; designation of Carnegie Hill Historic District; Old Metropolitan Opera House
Michael Gruen - former Chair of the Historic Districts Council; designated of the Riverside Drive-West 105th Street Historic District
Lenore Norman - former executive director of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
Bronson Binger - Former Assistant Commissioner for Capital Projects at the NYC Parks Department; designation of Carnegie Hill Historic District; Old Metropolitan Opera House
Michael Gruen - former Chair of the Historic Districts Council; designated of the Riverside Drive-West 105th Street Historic District
Lenore Norman - former executive director of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
Spring 2010 - historic districts and individual battles
Oliver Allen - TriBeCa
Herbert Broderick - The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrews
Mosette Broderick - the Villard Houses, the Coogan building, and architectural history
Joseph Rosenberg - The Brooklyn Heights Association