Program Director Gaby Thomason here to celebrate our incredible Board Members at Preservation Idaho with some Q&As for 2 weeks of Idaho Gives!
Our team works tirelessly to save and protect Idaho’s historic and cultural heritage by preserving historic buildings throughout the state, advocating at the state and local levels, creating programs to highlight Idaho history, and opening lines of communications in every community. We at Preservation Idaho are proud to have each of them on our team and deeply appreciate the volunteer hours and energy they put in to protect and honor our state’s history.
You can support Preservation Idaho’s great education programs by donating to Idaho Gives.
Get to know Preservation Idaho’s Advocacy Committee Chair Angie Steele in this great Q&A!
Angie joined our Board last year and has been an effective “force of nature” as our Advocacy Committee Chair. Angie has been a strong voice for preservation in conversations with developers, community members, and government agencies. Her work has helped to ensure the integration of historic buildings in current and planned projects.
Preservation Idaho (PI): What is your background in history and preservation?
Angie Steele (AS): I grew up in a family that loved history. One of my earliest memories is of my Grandmother taking me to a local history museum housed in the original stone-cut City Hall building, designed by the firm Proudfoot and Bird. She instilled in me the importance of knowing your city’s history and being proud of it.
Later I moved to a small town outside Kansas City. It was a county seat and had many of its original landmarks still intact. We bought an 1890s house that needed a little restoration and I began my study of historic restoration. I walked around my neighborhood for countless hours studying every building and asking unceasing questions about each one’s history and previous owners. (Fun fact: owners of historic properties always like to talk about their buildings!) I read every book recommended to me on architectural styles, construction methods, local histories, the National Register of Historic Places, and the registration process.
Quickly I heard there was a group of citizens that were trying to save a building from being razed by turning it into a community center. I couldn’t wait to lend a hand and utilize my hard-earned self-education.
PI: What inspired you to join Preservation Idaho?
AS: When I moved to Idaho in 2009 I sought it out, knowing that, for me, it was the key to embedding myself within the community and learning the history of this place.
PI: What is your favorite preservation project you’ve been part of?
AS: This is a little bit like asking, “which is your favorite child?” Each project provides an opportunity to learn the history associated with the landmark. Each project is unique and special in its own (often different) way.
PI: What do you wish people knew about historic preservation?
AS: Historic preservation is not rigid, and beauty is subjective.
Most criticisms of preservation come from one of two camps. The “I’m concerned about being restricted on what I can do with my property” camp and the “That building is ugly anyway” camp. The struggle of preservationists is to educate the community that historic preservation has many different levels of renovations and upkeep, and that removal should rarely be considered. A one-size-fits-all approach does not apply to preservation. Understanding how a potential project can be preserved is worth a discussion with the State Historic Preservation Office or other Architectural Historians.
PI: How else are you involved in your local community?
AS: I’m a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and spend time escorting my 10-year old son to kid activities.
PI: What’s a fun fact about you?
AS: I’m a genealogist.
Keep an eye out for more Upcoming Preservation Idaho Board Member Spotlights!
Preservation Idaho has an all-volunteer working board and your support this Idaho Gives will be used to build and promote our two most important educational programs, The Preservation Idaho Time Machine and the Idaho Architecture Project. Visit our page at Idaho Gives to learn more and donate today!