ABOUT
My name is Robert Kurtz, a Architectural Historian, Historic Preservation professional, and doctoral student in Public History at Middle Tennessee State University. I hold a Bachelor of Science in History with a minor in Anthropology, as well as a Master of Science in History with a focus on the Northern Great Plains and Historic Preservation, both from North Dakota State University.
My interest in history has always come from a fascination with objects and the spaces they occupy. It began with exploration, collecting artifacts and curiosities, and continually asking how things came to be the way they are. Over time, that curiosity expanded to the craftspeople who created them, the materials they selected, and the methods they used. My education introduced me to historic preservation through service-learning opportunities and provided the foundation for applying preservation principles in professional settings.
After more than a decade of experience in residential construction, I was fortunate to further pursue my education in public history with an emphasis on historic preservation and vernacular architecture. Throughout my academic and professional career, I have participated in field and archival research, written preservation reports, given public tours, organized community outreach activities, and interpreted historical resources. My work focuses on understanding how people shape, adapt, and interact with the built environment and how those places contribute to community identity and public memory.
I served as the first Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) for the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, where I helped manage the city's preservation program within the framework of a Certified Local Government. In this role, I worked with property owners, city officials, preservation advocates, consultants, and community stakeholders to identify, evaluate, and protect historic resources. My responsibilities included guiding local historic overlay and landmark designations through the municipal approval process, advising the Landmark Commission, reviewing preservation projects, and helping property owners navigate preservation policies and procedures. I also coordinated preservation initiatives, participated in historic resource surveys, promoted public engagement through preservation programming, and advocated for the thoughtful stewardship and adaptive reuse of historic properties. The position provided valuable experience balancing preservation goals with community development, public policy, and municipal planning.
I am currently employed as a Historian and Architectural Historian for an archaeology firm, where I conduct field and archival research and prepare Section 106 compliance reports. My work combines historical research, architectural analysis, and cultural resource management to help identify, evaluate, and document historic properties while ensuring compliance with federal preservation regulations.