The Michigan Historic Preservation Network Presents… “Celebrating Sustainable Communities” Thursday, May 13 – Saturday, May 15, 2010 The Michigan League, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan Go to www.mhpn.org for more information!  

Contact MHPN: admin@mhpn.org

                        517-371-8080

It’s astonishing that the 2010 conference kicks-off the 30th anniversary year of the MHPN.  We have felt from the start that we were doing important work protecting Michigan’s historic properties, “being green” long before that term had meaning.  Now our efforts fit into a global conversation.  Let us inspire you with some of the people and projects in Michigan contributing to the transformative shift in how we view our buildings and our communities.    The conference runs from Thursday morning, May 13, through noontime Saturday, May 15, headquartered at the 1929 Michigan League on the historic central campus of the University of Michigan; parking in city structures is plentiful and close.  Four concurrent tracks focus on: conference theme, skills needed to make sustainability work, hands-on techniques, and tours.  Special will be a day-long Thursday workshop devoted to the development and marketing of community heritage assets; morning sessions in Ypsilanti are complemented by an afternoon ‘road trip’ to explore the region’s fascinating transportation and rural heritage by bus.  (A session on “Vacation Packaging Basics” is a bonus scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.)   There will be special events galore including the Vendors’ Showcase, Community Open House, and Candlelight Tour on Thursday evening; a mid-day Friday keynote by Carl Elefante, a high-profile figure in the national conversation about historic preservation and sustainable design; and the Annual Preservation Awards Friday evening.  Saturday features local preservation and historic district commissioner training, a tour for those interested in Ann Arbor’s Modern architecture, and – first and only! – an open-mic session tapping the paranormal to better understand your historic property!   There’s a big team of Ypsi-Ann preservationists pulling the program together.  They say, “You’ve worked hard all year.  Come join us!”