PreservationWorks

Sharing this important opportunity from our friends at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

- Robert Kirkbride

Call for Interest: Young Adults for Hogg Foundation National Advisory Council | Hogg Foundation for Mental Health We're seeking two new members for our National Advisory Council. The foundation's current need is for young adults leaders in mental health.

Christopher Alan posted these fantastic pictures in the “Friends of the Ridges” FB group. What a neat way to honor patients and staff! -Posted with permission

City unequivocally denies data center rumors tied to RTC nondisclosure agreement City Administrator Andrew Bremseth confirmed NDA that the Fergus Falls City Council approved recently is simply due diligence rather than the advanced stages of project selection.

Indianapolis followers, an opportunity to volunteer at the Indiana Medical History Museum, which is the Old Pathology building and on the grounds of the former Central State Hospital. A fun trivia question about Central State is that at one time, it had 2 Kirkbride buildings, one for women and one for men!

Looking for a volunteer opportunity in Indianapolis?

Check out the Indiana Medical History Museum Volunteer Program! We are always looking for people who have a passion for learning and sharing knowledge. Our volunteer program has two main roles that volunteers can fill for us:

Docent:
Trained docents provide IMHM visitors with a thematic one-hour tour of the Old Pathology Building to both scheduled groups and drop-in visitors. Docents create an engaging educational atmosphere for museum visitors and effectively communicate the emergence of modern medicine at the turn of the 20th century, not to mention science, mental health care, architecture, local history and much more!

Greeter:
The Greeter admits visitors, performs check-in duties, and answers general inquiries. Because he/she provides the initial impression of the museum, we are looking for someone who is comfortable with handling money, enjoys interacting with others, and is enthusiastic!

Do either of these positions sound like something you'd enjoy? If so, please visit our website at https://imhm.org/volunteering to get more information about volunteering and to fill out an application. You can also email the Museum Operations Manager, Danielle Thomas, at [email protected] if you have questions or would like more information.

Are you looking to get more involved in historic preservation? Have skills that you think could help our cause? We are looking for new trustees to join our board! If interested, fill out the questionnaire link in the comments, and we will be in touch!

Thank you, Paul Goldberger, for your clear and cogent summary of the devastating impacts of the proposed changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which would "render this type of review process impotent. If the changes go forward, the wanton destructiveness behind the arch and the East Wing ballroom will be just the beginning."

If you wonder why this matters, take a moment to read Paul's short essay:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/09/opinion/trump-washington-landmarks-arch-pool-east-wing.html?unlocked_article_code=1.4FA.p7Te.FK1-q6_t6QCk&smid=url-share

As he astutely observes, "It is ironic indeed for the government to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday by embarking on what Brent Leggs, the chief executive of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has called 'an unprecedented and deliberate attack on our civic and cultural inheritance.'”

What can anyone do about it?

Here is a link with clear and helpful how-to steps, provided by the National Trust for Historic Preservation: https://savingplaces.org/section106

Opinion | It Won’t Stop at the Arc de Trump. It Won’t Stop at Washington. (Gift Article) The Trump administration’s proposed changes to the review process will allow it to take a wrecking ball to historic sites across the country.

The Gatehouse is one of the last remnants in Michigan of the historic Kalamazoo State Hospital, a Kirkbride-plan institution that was demolished in 1939 (the men’s Kirkbride) and 1969 (the women’s Kirkbride). Only a few structures are left, including the iconic water tower and the gatehouse. It is now in danger of being demolished by Western Michigan University.

"Where's the conversation?": Concerns arise over WMU's plans for the State Hospital Gatehouse Western Michigan University's plan to sell, or possibly demolish, a Gothic Revival home on east campus has community members asking questions.

Hope remains for burned Hudson River Psychiatric Center. 'We haven't lost it yet.' After a fire tore through the historic Hudson River Psychiatric Center, preservationists, former staff and developers are fighting to save the landmark.

Great news for our friends in Buffalo! Congratulations Richardson Olmsted Campus!

The nonprofit leading the revitalization of Buffalo’s historic Richardson Olmsted Campus is poised to add another landmark property to its growing footprint.

Legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Jon Rivera and State Sen. April Baskin would transfer the former male nurses dormitory building and more than 1.5 acres of surrounding land from state control to the Richardson Center Corporation. The measure now awaits Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature.

The building, built for the former Buffalo State Asylum, would become the latest addition to a redevelopment effort that already includes the Richardson Hotel and the under-construction Lipsey Architecture Center.

Richardson Center Corporation President Paris Roselli said the acquisition creates an opportunity to further connect and complement the broader cultural and architectural assets surrounding the complex.

"There’s a discussion about the fabric of this whole thing," Roselli said. "Ideally we have residential spaces up top. We’ve talked about artist space, perhaps on the ground level, or some sort of commercial, maybe residency space. So there are a number of ideas in play, and the building’s bones are really good, which is great."

Read more at the link in comments.