Fighting the preservation diaspora

Welcome to New Maxwell Street. As you already know, this is an online preservation community for new and longtime preservationists, primarily the community at the Art Institute of Chicago. Let me know of your interest, and I will add you to the team. Post comments here, as you wish, about your preservation struggles in the city of Chicago or beyond, your experiences evaluating the integrity of buildings, or your attempts to document or restore them. Post your existential concerns over heritage sites, or the nature of this growing profession. Let others know about your new band, "Rising Damp."

I named this site with something specific in mind. First of all, it locates us in Chicago, no matter where we disperse to in our chosen career, because we've had our start there, and it serves as a sort of home to us. Second, I think it recalls some of the losses that preservationists have experienced, and reminds us that there is work yet to be done. And finally, I believe it is a good name for a community, knowing the sort of community that flourished on Maxwell Street during its heyday.

So, welcome to the community.