2012 Summer Speaker Series

Saving the Structures of Our Past

The Importance and Impact of Historic Preservation
On Tuesday, August 28 at 6:30PM, the Historic Indian Agency House (HIAH) of Portage will host Wisconsin Historical Society Preservation Architect Jen Davel. Davel will present “Understanding Tax Credit Programs for Historic Buildings,” in which she will discuss tax-based preservation incentives available to private homeowners and income-producing properties. To complement Ms. Davel’s expertise, she will be joined by a Lodi couple who have actually taken advantage of such tax credit programs during their own renovation project and have graciously agreed to share their experiences. 
 
Jen Davel has extensive familiarity with the preservation field. She studied Architecture and History as an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota and continued her education in the field thereafter, earning a Master of Architecture degree with a Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After holding positions at architecture firms in Minneapolis and Madison for a decade, Ms. Davel joined the Wisconsin Historical Society in 2010.
 
Ms. Davel’s presentation will delve into the tax credit application process and the all-important Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, and will examine case studies of both private and income-producing tax credit projects. Ms. Davel’s expert understanding of the subject matter and the “real life” perspective provided by our Lodi guests are sure to offer a well-rounded view of today’s preservation-based tax credit programs. It is hoped that the August 28^th’s presentation will de-mystify the often-daunting tax credit programs often touted by preservation proponents—including the City of Portage Historic Preservation Commission.
 
This event is the third of four installments comprising HIAH’s third annual summer speaker series, with each held on the final Tuesday of the month from June to September. The series, entitled “Saving the Structures that Tell Our Story: The Impact and Importance of Historic Preservation,” will explore the why and how of historic building preservation, particularly appropriate in light of the ongoing restorative work now taking place on the 1832 Indian Agency House.
 
For the third year in a row, this speaker series is FREE to the public and made possibly largely by generous grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the City of Portage Historic Preservation Commission and the Great Circle Foundation Inc. of East Northport, with additional financial support provided by Main Street Portage and Forever Yours Jewelry of Portage.
 
September’s final presentation and discussion will be led by Jen’s colleague and fellow WHS Preservation Architect Mark Buechel. Mr. Buechel will share with us the “Top 10 Way to Mess Up Your Historic Home.”  
 
The museum and visitor’s center exhibits, always free to the public, will be open 5PM until the lecture begins at 6:30.  Take this opportunity to catch one of 2012’s Restoration Tours—exclusive to this season! Trained guides will be available to tell the story of the Historic Indian Agency House site, including tours of the Native American encampment and prairie garden, and a hands-on discussion of the ongoing restoration efforts, including actual artifacts found during the excavation phases of the project. (Minimal fee applies; free for Supporters members.) Light refreshments will be provided for lecture guests.
 
The Historic Indian Agency House hosts a variety of children’s and adult programming throughout the year, including book-your-own Scout workshops! Visit www.agencyhouse.orgfor a full listing of events, or call 608-742-6362 with any questions.  
 
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