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Myrick Howard is an American historic preservationist, best known for his leadership of Preservation North Carolina (PNC), where he served as president from 1978 until his retirement in 2023. Under his guidance, PNC became a national model for historic preservation, facilitating the protection and revitalization of over 900 historic properties across the state. [1]
James Myrick Howard was born on April 22, 1953, in Durham, North Carolina. [2] He attended Durham public schools and was recognized as a National Merit Scholar at Durham High School with a 4-year scholarship from American Tobacco. [3] In 1970, Howard enrolled at Brown University, where he studied for two years before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972 due to family health issues. [4] At UNC-Chapel Hill, he pursued a double major in law and urban planning, earning his degrees in 1978. [5]
Howard's academic journey came full circle when, after a distinguished career in historic preservation, he returned to academia. In 2024, at the age of 71, he enrolled in Duke University's Graduate Liberal Studies program, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to education and the humanities. [6]
Myrick Howard began his career with Preservation North Carolina (PNC) shortly after completing his graduate studies in 1978, it was his first job. [7] Initially brought on in a part-time capacity, Howard quickly impressed the organization's leadership with his vision and dedication to preserving North Carolina's historic landmarks. Within a month, he was promoted to executive director, marking the beginning of an illustrious 45-year tenure. [8]
Under Howard's leadership, PNC grew from a small operation to one of the most influential historic preservation organizations in the United States. He spearheaded the establishment of a revolving fund, which became a signature tool for the organization. This innovative approach involved acquiring endangered historic properties, stabilizing them, and reselling them with protective covenants in place. Through this method, PNC saved over 900 historic properties across North Carolina, including significant landmarks such as the Loray Mill in Gastonia and the Glencoe Mill Village in Burlington. [5]
Howard was also a key advocate for adaptive reuse, emphasizing the economic and cultural benefits of repurposing historic structures. This approach not only preserved architectural heritage but also revitalized neighborhoods and spurred economic development in communities across the state. His work often involved navigating complex political and financial challenges, as well as fostering collaboration between government agencies, private investors, and local communities. [3]
One of Howard's most celebrated achievements was the preservation of North Carolina's Rosenwald Schools, built in the early 20th century to educate African American children in the segregated South. Recognizing their cultural and historical significance, Howard mobilized resources and support to protect these structures, ensuring their stories were not lost to time. [9]
Beyond his hands-on preservation work, Howard raised awareness about the importance of historic preservation through public speaking and media appearances. He was a frequent guest on programs dedicated to architecture and urban planning and contributed articles to journals and magazines in the field. [8]
Even after his retirement in 2023, Howard continued to champion preservation efforts, offering consulting services and serving on advisory boards for various preservation organizations. His legacy at PNC is celebrated annually through the Myrick Howard Preservation Award, established in his honor to recognize individuals and groups making outstanding contributions to preserving North Carolina's history. [5]
Myrick Howard's influence in historic preservation extends beyond his leadership at Preservation North Carolina (PNC). Since 1988, he has served as the Marion S. Covington Professor of Practice in Historic Preservation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Department of City and Regional Planning. In this capacity, Howard has mentored numerous students, emphasizing the integration of preservation with urban planning and community development. [10] From 1988 to 2023, he taught a graduate seminar on Historic Preservation Planning each year at UNC. [7]
In 2024, at the age of 71, Howard returned to academia by enrolling in Duke University's Graduate Liberal Studies program. His research interests include analyzing the relationship between North Carolina and the slave trade, reflecting his ongoing commitment to understanding and preserving the state's complex history. [6]
Howard is also the author of Buying Time for Heritage: How to Save an Endangered Historic Property, a comprehensive guide on preservation techniques. The second edition, published by the University of North Carolina Press, includes detailed projects on renovating vacant houses in working-class neighborhoods and reflections on addressing racial equity through preservation. [11]
Through his teaching, publications, and research, Howard continues to shape the field of historic preservation, inspiring future generations to value and protect cultural heritage. [5]
Howard's writings have been featured in various preservation journals and have been adopted into educational curricula, further shaping the future of the field. [3]
Myrick Howard's influential work extends to several publications on historic preservation. His most notable book, Buying Time for Heritage: How to Save an Endangered Historic Property, serves as an essential resource for preservationists. The book offers strategies for saving threatened buildings through revolving funds and protective covenants, which Howard pioneered during his time at Preservation North Carolina. [11]
Additionally, Howard contributed to numerous scholarly articles, with a focus on adaptive reuse and preservation economics. His work also explores racial equity within the preservation field, examining how historic sites can reflect and preserve diverse cultural histories. [5]
Myrick Howard has been honored with numerous awards throughout his career, recognizing his leadership in historic preservation:
These recognitions underscore Howard's enduring impact on the preservation field.
Myrick Howard's legacy in historic preservation is firmly embedded in the fabric of North Carolina and beyond. His leadership transformed Preservation North Carolina into a national model for state-level preservation efforts, directly contributing to the saving of over 900 historic properties. His advocacy for adaptive reuse continues to influence how preservation integrates with economic and urban development.
Howard's educational contributions have shaped generations of preservationists, who now lead preservation efforts in their communities. His work also paved the way for preservation practices that highlight social equity, ensuring diverse histories are recognized and preserved. [9]
The Myrick Howard Preservation Award, established in 2023, serves as a lasting tribute to his achievements, honoring others who reflect his dedication to historic preservation. His influence is seen in preserved landmarks across North Carolina and in the philosophies that guide modern preservation work. [5]
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately funded, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., that works in the field of historic preservation in the United States. The member-supported organization was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support the preservation of America’s diverse historic buildings, neighborhoods, and heritage through its programs, resources, and advocacy.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is a federally recognized Indian tribe based in western North Carolina in the United States. They are descended from the small group of 800–1,000 Cherokees who remained in the Eastern United States after the U.S. military, under the Indian Removal Act, moved the other 15,000 Cherokees to west of the Mississippi River in the late 1830s, to Indian Territory. Those Cherokees remaining in the east were to give up tribal Cherokee citizenship and to assimilate. They became U.S. citizens.
Historic preservation (US), built heritage preservation or built heritage conservation (UK) is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance. It is a philosophical concept that became popular in the twentieth century, which maintains that cities as products of centuries' development should be obligated to protect their patrimonial legacy. The term refers specifically to the preservation of the built environment, and not to preservation of, for example, primeval forests or wilderness.
Henry E. Frye is an American judge and politician who served as the first African-American chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
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Anne St. Clair Wright (1910—1993) was an American historic preservationist. A central figure in the foundation, in 1952, of Historic Annapolis Incorporated, she served four terms as president and as chairman emeritus of the board. She was responsible for the preservation of the historic center of the city of Annapolis, Maryland. Her preservation work, advocacy and achievements inspired many preservation movements around the United States. She is considered a leading 20th-century American preservationist. Among many civic offices, she served as the director of the Society for the Preservation of Maryland Antiquities; chairman of the board of Preservation Action; was a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Advisory Committee of the U.S. National Park Service; director of the Southern Garden History Society; and a director of the Nature Conservancy.
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