PGT Speaker Series - Morris Hylton

Historic Preservation in the Anthropocene:

A Case Study from the Nantucket National Historic Landmark District

The Anthropocene is the concept that the Earth has entered a novel geological epoch in which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. This new era of a warming planet, rising seas, and a changing climate is demanding a reconsideration of how we manage and conserve the built environment and architectural heritage. While this unfolding crisis ultimately depends on worldwide management of greenhouse gas emissions, resource managers today face choices about what actions to take, despite the uncertainty. This lecture explores the paradigm shift underway in historic preservation and emerging best practices for adaptation of the built environment with an increasing need to manage loss. The case study is a management retreat plan for the Washington Street and The Creeks area of Nantucket Town.

1 HSW/LU

Morris [Marty] Hylton III

President, Architecture Sarasota

Currently the President of Architecture Sarasota, Morris [Marty] Hylton III has more than 25 years of experience documenting, conserving, and advocating for cultural heritage. Trained as an architect and historic preservationist, Marty specializes in closely collaborating with community stakeholders to develop multifaceted strategies and programs to preserve and manage resources. His research and professional work have focused on the distinct stewardship challenges of 20th-century heritage, particularly sites and buildings of the post-World War II era, and the preparation and recovery of historic sites and communities impacted by natural disasters and coastal communities.

From 2002 to 2007, Marty served as Strategic Initiatives Manager for the World Monuments Fund – an international non-profit with a mission of saving endangered heritage globally. While at WMF, he oversaw recovery efforts along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and helped create the Modernism at Risk program. For 14 years, Marty served as Director of Historic Preservation at University of Florida where he launched the Envision Heritage program dedicated to harnessing digital technologies for documenting historic buildings and communities. More recently, he was the inaugural National Park Service Historic Architect for Climate Change where he helped create the Climate, Science, and Disaster Response Program for the Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate.