PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
HISTORIAN/ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN
Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Anamosa, IA
In my current role as a Historian and Architectural Historian, I conduct archival and field research in support of Section 106 compliance projects. My responsibilities include researching project areas, preparing historical contexts, evaluating historic resources, and identifying character-defining architectural features. I also collaborate with archaeologists during field investigations, assisting with the documentation, collection, and analysis of cultural materials for future curation and research. Through this work, I contribute to the identification, evaluation, and preservation of cultural resources while ensuring compliance with federal preservation regulations. Below are examples of projects I am currently involved in.
Cabin Relocation
This project involves the relocation of three historic log cabins from the Red River floodplain to Rollag, Minnesota, where they will become part of a historic log cabin park. Due to ongoing flood risks, the cabins are being moved to ensure their long-term preservation. Two of the structures will be carefully documented, disassembled, and reconstructed at their new location, while the third cabin will be relocated intact. My responsibilities include overseeing the relocation process, documenting the buildings' character-defining features, and helping ensure that their historical integrity is maintained throughout the move. This project highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with preserving historic structures threatened by environmental conditions while making them accessible to future generations.
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Wooden Patterns
During the construction of the Upper Mississippi River lock and dam system in the 1930s, many of the metal components were first created as wooden patterns. These forms were used to create molds from which the final metal parts were cast and machined. Ranging in size from a few inches to more than twelve feet in length, the patterns represent an important but often overlooked aspect of New Deal-era engineering, manufacturing, and industrial craftsmanship.
Because these patterns are now obsolete and their future uncertain, this project focuses on documenting and cataloging the collection to support its long-term preservation. Each pattern is measured, photographed, and recorded, with identifying information entered into a comprehensive inventory. As the lead historian on this project, I oversee the documentation process and work to ensure that this unique collection is properly recorded and ultimately placed in an institution where it can be preserved and interpreted for future generations.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
City of Corpus Christi, TX
As the first Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) for the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, I was responsible for implementing preservation policies and procedures outlined in the city's 2021 Preservation Plan. Working with city staff, elected officials, property owners, and community stakeholders, I helped establish standards for the identification, evaluation, and stewardship of historic resources. My responsibilities included developing preservation processes, managing preservation projects, advising the Landmark Commission, and promoting public engagement with the city's historic resources. The projects below highlight initiatives I worked on, completed, and implemented during my tenure with the City of Corpus Christi.
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EBONY RECREATION SPOT
The Ebony Recreation Spot was a historic dance hall located in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Corpus Christi, Texas. For decades, it served as an important cultural and social gathering place within the city's African American community and provided an early performance venue for numerous Black musicians. Although much of the surrounding neighborhood has been lost to redevelopment and changing land use patterns, the building remains an important reminder of Hillcrest's history and cultural heritage.
Recognized as a Texas Dance Hall, the Ebony Recreation Spot played a significant role in the social and cultural life of the community. During my tenure as Historic Preservation Officer, I researched the site's history and appeared before the Landmark Commission to advocate for its preservation and interpretation. The experience highlighted the challenges of balancing preservation priorities with competing political, economic, and development interests, while reinforcing the importance of preserving places that tell the stories of historically underrepresented communities.
UPPER WESTSIDE HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY
The Upper Westside Historic Resource Survey was one of the first major preservation initiatives underway when I arrived in Corpus Christi. Conducted in partnership with a preservation consulting firm, the project sought to identify and document historic resources within one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. As the city's liaison and project facilitator, I coordinated community outreach efforts, identified and secured meeting locations, organized public meetings and training sessions, and assisted with troubleshooting issues related to the city's ArcGIS platform.
My responsibilities also included monitoring project progress, ensuring deadlines were met, coordinating payments, and providing regular updates to the Landmark Commission. The project provided valuable experience in preservation planning, community engagement, project management, and the use of digital tools to document and evaluate historic resources.
600 BUILDING
Constructed in 1963, the 600 Building is a distinctive example of mid-century architecture that incorporates elements of the International Style associated with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Brutalism, and New Formalism. During my tenure as Historic Preservation Officer, the building became the subject of my first Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition (COAD) review as part of a proposed adaptive reuse project that would convert the former office building into residential apartments.
The project revealed challenges associated with interpreting preservation ordinances and applying them to complex rehabilitation efforts. While the building itself was not slated for demolition, differing interpretations of the city ordinance raised questions about whether the removal of portions of the structure during the initial phase of redevelopment constituted demolition under the COAD process. The experience highlighted the importance of clear preservation regulations and reinforced the need for precise language within municipal ordinances. As a result, one of my ongoing projects involved reviewing and revising preservation-related ordinance language to improve clarity and consistency for future preservation reviews.
PROMOTING PRESERVATION
One of the most rewarding aspects of historic preservation is finding ways to involve the community in the stewardship of local history. The images above illustrate how a simple question can create benefits for both preservation efforts and local residents. Shortly after graduating from high school, a young entrepreneur visited my office to ask who was responsible for cleaning historical markers. Together, we gathered guidance from the Texas Historical Commission on the proper methods for cleaning both historical markers and gravestones.
Using this information, she began cleaning markers and headstones throughout the community while documenting the results through before-and-after photographs shared on social media. In doing so, she not only contributed to the preservation of local historic resources but also promoted her growing business. Throughout the project, she provided updates on damaged or missing markers, allowing those issues to be reported and addressed. The experience demonstrated how preservation can encourage community involvement, support local businesses, and foster a shared sense of stewardship for historic resources.
HISTORIC OVERLAYS
One of the more challenging responsibilities I encountered as Historic Preservation Officer was navigating the rezoning process associated with historic overlay designations. The Tudor Revival residence pictured above is an excellent example of a successful preservation project, having been restored in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Particular attention was given to the masonry work, with replacement brick manufactured to match the original color and sourced from the same plant that produced the brick used during the home's original construction in the 1930s.
Securing a historic overlay designation required a lengthy review process involving public notifications, research, staff reports, presentations, and approval by the Landmark Commission. Following commission approval, recommendations were revised and presented through the city's administrative review process before receiving final consideration by the City Council. The process typically required three to four months to complete and demonstrated the importance of research, public engagement, and effective communication in achieving preservation goals.
MORNINGSIDE HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY
The Morningside Subdivision Survey represented the city's first attempt to conduct a neighborhood-wide historic resource survey using a digital data collection platform. Working closely with the GIS Department, I helped develop and implement a survey program utilizing ArcGIS and Survey123 to streamline the documentation and evaluation of historic resources. Although the system experienced several technical challenges during its initial deployment, many of the issues were identified and resolved, providing valuable lessons that informed the subsequent Upper Westside Historic Resource Survey.
While the project demonstrated the potential of digital survey methods, progress was ultimately limited by the requirement that 75 percent of affected property owners support the designation effort. As priorities shifted, resources were redirected toward the Clifford Street area and other preservation initiatives. Despite its temporary suspension, the Morningside Survey served as an important pilot project that helped establish procedures and technological tools for future historic resource surveys within Corpus Christi.
PRESERVATION MONTH
One of my responsibilities as Historic Preservation Officer was organizing events and activities for Preservation Month. This included conducting research on historic properties, preparing nominations, and presenting preservation-related projects to the Landmark Commission. Seeking new ways to engage the public with local history, I developed the city's first Preservation Month Art Competition using photographs from the collection of Dr. "Doc" McGregor, a local chiropractor who documented Corpus Christi through more than 200,000 photographs.
Working closely with the archivist at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, I helped select more than 200 images and coordinated the creation of an online gallery for participants. Artists were invited to choose a historic photograph and reinterpret it on canvas using the medium of their choice. The competition was judged by a college art professor, a museum curator, and a local artist. By combining art, history, and preservation, the project introduced new audiences to Corpus Christi's historic resources while encouraging creative engagement with the city's past.
STEAMBOAT HOUSE
The Steamboat House, also known as the Steamboat-Ropes House, was constructed in the 1890s and is considered one of the few remaining examples of High Victorian "gingerbread" architecture in Corpus Christi, Texas. The house was relocated and donated to the City of Corpus Christi in 2007 to prevent its loss during the construction of a nearby apartment complex, demonstrating the community's commitment to preserving one of the city's distinctive historic resources.
Following Hurricane Harvey, a structural assessment determined that the building had deteriorated to the point that rehabilitation was no longer considered feasible. As a result, a Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition was approved by the Landmark Commission in 2020. Recognizing the building's architectural and historical significance, the commission required the preparation of a comprehensive "white paper" documenting the history, architecture, and significance of the property prior to demolition. As Historic Preservation Officer, I was responsible for researching and writing this document, ensuring that the history of the Steamboat House was preserved and made accessible for future researchers and the public. The completed paper can be found on the Papers page of this portfolio.
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HERITAGE PARK
Heritage Park is home to twelve historic structures, most of which have been relocated to the site and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Managed by the City's Parks and Recreation Department, the park serves as an important repository of Corpus Christi's architectural and cultural heritage. While the department had worked diligently to maintain the buildings, there was no formal system in place to document repairs, maintenance activities, or preservation-related work.
To address this issue, I developed an administrative review process and accompanying documentation forms to track maintenance and preservation efforts throughout the park. Under this system, routine maintenance and emergency repairs could be approved administratively, while larger projects requiring more substantial alterations were reviewed by the Landmark Commission. All documentation was organized and maintained in a centralized binder, creating a permanent record of work performed on each structure. This process improved communication between departments, strengthened preservation oversight, and established a framework for the long-term stewardship of Heritage Park's historic resources.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Public outreach is an essential component of any historic resource survey, benefiting both residents and surveyors by ensuring that property owners are informed about the survey process and its purpose. As part of preparations for a proposed survey of Clifford Street, I developed and distributed informational postcards to residents explaining the project and encouraging community participation.
Clifford Street represents one of Corpus Christi's most cohesive historic neighborhoods, consisting of a single block of Tudor Revival residences. At the time of the survey effort, seven of the homes already carried historic overlay designations, and residents had expressed strong interest in pursuing a historic district designation. Had the effort been completed, Clifford Street would have become the first locally designated historic district in Corpus Christi. The project demonstrated the importance of community engagement and public education in building support for preservation initiatives and neighborhood conservation efforts.