Learn With Us

Want to help build more sustainable and economically resilient communities through historic preservation? Join us to learn more about how preservation and Main Street work in our state—and how you can get involved in your own community! Check out our educational webinars below, and stay tuned for more content (webinars, digital tours, virtual meet-ups, and more) in the future.


Webinar

Careers in Historic Preservation: Construction & The Trades – August 4, 2020

Preservationists can be found in diverse roles and organizations, including architectural firms, city planning offices, economic development agencies, historic parks, government services, construction companies, universities, private tourism firms, and a wide range of nonprofits. For this panel, the Washington Trust and threedistinguished professionals explored some of these many different paths with a discussion about Careers in Historic Preservation, with a specific focus on construction and the trades. Panelists spoke to their careers and shared advice for students, young professionals, and anyone else interested in engaging with preservation or cultural resources.

Our panelists included: Linley Logan, Arts Program Manager of the Northwest Heritage Program at the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at the Evergreen State College; Sarah Steen, Landmarks Coordinator at King County; and Steve Stroming, Project Executive at Rafn Company.

Resources referenced during the panel:


Event

Virtual Pints for Preservation with Aslan Brewing – July 30, 2020

On July 30, 2020, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation hosted its first virtual Pints for Preservation event with Aslan Brewing Company in Bellingham! Our Pints for Preservation events are fun, casual happy hours hosted by breweries located in historic buildings across the state. Beer-and-old-building-lovers have the chance to sip good brews, explore cool buildings, and come together to celebrate the places that matter in our state.

At Aslan, general manager Will Huessey walked us through their historic Depot Building in downtown Bellingham, told us about the building’s history, showed off the impressive renovations Aslan has completed since 2017, and discussed Aslan’s approach to crating beer. Beer/brewing puns were free flowing on video and in the chat! If you’re interested in suggesting a brewery to be highlighted into a future Pints for Preservation event, please visit preservewa.org/beer.


Event

Virtual Excellence on Main – July 20, 2020

Check out our virtual Excellence on Main Awards event! Excellence on Main is our annual celebration of exceptional entrepreneurs, organizers, and preservationists across our Washington Main Street network. While this event typically takes place in person at our annual RevitalizeWA conference, this year in the wake of COVID-19 we opted to host a digital event.

The theme of the event was “party on top, pajamas on bottom,” with prizes awarded for dressing up and party props provided. In addition to honoring examples of excellence across our Washington Main Street towns and cities, a special addition to this year’s celebration is the official release of the Washington Main Street Impact Study, which drives home the economic and social impacts that Main Streets have on their communities and on the state at large.


Webinar

Careers in Historic Preservation – June 29, 2020

Preservationists can be found in diverse roles and organizations, including architectural firms, city planning offices, economic development agencies, historic parks, government services, construction companies, universities, private tourism firms, and a wide range of nonprofits. In June 2020, the Washington Trust and four distinguished professionals explored some of these many different paths with a discussion about Careers in Historic Preservation. Panelists spoke to their careers and shared advice for students, young professionals, and anyone else interested in engaging with preservation or cultural resources.

Panelists included: Dr. Manish Chalana, Associate Professor, Department of Urban Design and Planning, University of Washington; Stacia Morfin, Owner and Operator of Nez Perce Tourism, LLC; Dr. Stephanie Toothman, former Associate Director, Cultural Resources, Partnerships and Science, National Park Service; and Allison Williams, City Manager, City of Moses Lake.

Resources mentioned during the panel:


Webinar

Main Street 101 – May 20, 2020

As a comprehensive economic development tool, the Main Street Approach® is the foundation that many communities in Washington and nationwide use to strengthen their historic downtown and commercial districts. This webinar will provide an orientation to the Main Street Approach for new board and staff, committee volunteers, and those looking to support their downtown with this proven revitalization strategy.


Webinar

Preservation 101 in Spokane – October 18, 2019

The Washington Trust hosted a public workshop in Spokane to introduce the local audience to their statewide and local partners in preservation including the Washington Trust and Spokane Preservation Advocates. We also shared how community members can advocate for historic sites and highlighted the recent success story of Browne’s Addition as Spokane’s first local historic district designated by majority vote.


Webinar

Main Street’s Role in Recovery: A Panel Discussion – April 30, 2020

Washington Main Street, Main Street Iowa, and Oregon Main Street teamed up to develop this recovery action plan that local programs can use as a template for their own work over the next three to twelve months and beyond. Main Street’s role in recovery is crucial, and we want you to be armed with tools and ideas to step up as leaders in your own communities and regions. To kick off this initiative, we asked Norma Ramirez de Miess, Tripp Muldrow, and Jim Thompson—who share diverse and deep set of experiences related to disaster and economic recovery—to speak with us. Watch this webinar to learn more about Main Street’s role in recovery.


Webinar

Main Street Recovery Action Plan Roll Out – May 27, 2020

Main Street programs across the nation have been deploying their trademark creativity and resourcefulness in the face of the unprecedented challenges presented by the coronavirus. We know that Main Street was made for this work, bringing community members together to support one another and build (and rebuild) healthy local economies. Three state Main Street programs—Iowa, Oregon, and Washington—joined forces to create a tool to help local Main Street organizations focus their priorities and establish themselves as key players in economic recovery. Hear from the tri-state team about how your Main Street organization can use the Recovery Action Plan—a flexible work plan, complete with assessment tools, action ideas, and work plan templates for each committee. One document, easy to edit, yours to use.