As Director of Revitalization Initiatives for Preservation Maryland, Laura Houston oversees the organization’s historic property redevelopment program, which makes direct investments in Maryland’s historic places through the restoration, rehabilitation, and revitalization of historic resources and the communities in which they reside. Through this program, Preservation Maryland partners with government agencies, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and developers to facilitate and manage preservation planning and redevelopment. The organization’s portfolio includes 11 active projects ranging from restoration of an 18th c. mill in Harford County to adaptive reuse of an 1850s jail in Ellicott City to stabilization and elevation of a late 19th c. watermen’s cottage in Annapolis’ City Dock.
Laura’s professional background is in project management. Her academic background focused on culture as a tool for representation, influence, education, and diplomacy. She earned her M.A. in Cultural Politics and Policy from New York University and B.A. in International Studies from Texas State University
Laura will be speaking in Session 1: Preserving Our Historic Communities