Roseburg Library to Host Free Historic Preservation Program Nov. 10

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A free program at Roseburg Public Library will explore how Americans decide which places to preserve, from prominent landmarks to modest homes and Main Street storefronts.

The library and the City of Roseburg’s Community Development Department will host “The Art of Historic Preservation,” a recorded Smithsonian Associates presentation, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10. The event is available in person only at the library, 1409 NE Diamond Lake Blvd.

Public historian Ken Turino will trace the preservation movement in America, including the work of William Sumner Appleton and the contributions of women whose roles have often been overlooked.

The presentation examines how preservation has expanded beyond grand buildings, monuments and places associated with famous figures to include diners, workers’ housing, working landscapes and other spaces that hold community memories. Turino also considers why some places are saved while others are lost, and how much a historic building can change while retaining its identity.

Following the recording, Community Development Department staff will discuss Roseburg’s historic districts, the city’s approach to preservation and the role of the Historic Resource Review Commission.

For more information, contact Roseburg Public Library at 541-492-7050 or library@roseburgor.gov.