www.hdc.org

The Historic Districts Council works to ensure the preservation of significant historic neighborhoods, buildings and public spaces in New York City to ensure the integrity of New York City’s Landmark Law, and to further the preservation ethic. The National Register Reconnaissance Survey looked to document and compare the number of locally designated historic districts and districts listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The goal of the study was to identify locally designated districts that could benefit from listing on the Registers. The annual conference hosted by the Historic Districts Council focuses on a broad topic of specific importance to the preservation community and the public at large. Past topics have included preservation of publicly owned properties, cultural history and landmarks, and the economics and demographics of historic preservation.

2007 - The Annual Preservation Conference Series, HDC’s main educational program, serves to inform, educate and expose constituents from communities across the five boroughs to ideas, strategies and histories of preservation and development. The Conference series includes events over five days, including several individual lectures, a Friday evening reception, a full-day conference with a keynote address and panels focused on thematic topics, and six Sunday walking tours throughout the boroughs.

2006 - “Creating an Historic District” is the guidebook for individuals and neighborhood groups interested in historic preservation. Originally published in 1992, more than 750 copies have been printed and distributed. The book outlines New York City’s landmark designation process in an easy to read, detail step by step format. Changes have occurred to the landmarks designation process since its first printing, however, and a new edition would provide up to date guidance and support to individuals and grassroots community groups seeking to preserve their communities. The updated version reflects both changes to the Landmark Preservation Commission’s designation process as well as those brought about by the availability of online resources and electronic communication.