Contact
Michael Herschensohn
Michael Herschensohn
Michael Herschensohn’s unusual academic training has given him a unique perspective on the history of American architecture. With a Ph.D. in literary criticism and a specialization in 19th century French literature from the University of Pennsylvania, he taught at several American universities prior to completing a degree in preservation planning and the history of American architecture. He practiced preservation planning in New York before teaching adult learners at the Chicago Architecture Foundation how to interpret and understand architectural history. In Chicago and later at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle, he developed programs and exhibits that presented local history to a broad public. Recently, he managed the City of Seattle’s Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYP) Centennial, giving talks and writing essays on the landscapes, buildings, and people who designed, built, organized, and attended that fair. For the last 21 years, he has been on the board of Historic Seattle, the city’s only historic preservation organization.
The Stories Old Buildings Tell Us
The places we create for ourselves – homes, factories, schools, parks, hotels, barns – are key markers in the story of people’s daily lives. Such places help us interpret human experience and bring greater appreciation for the past. In this presentation Herschensohn examines historic buildings across the state – from the Donald House to the Stimson Green Mansion to the Red Barn to Maryhill. He helps us interpret historic buildings and places which tell us about the context of the people who have occupied them and helps us understand the similarities and differences between the past and our contemporary lives. Herschensohn focuses on sites around the state and can add content based on local audience interests.
Contact Michael at (206) 412-0702 or by email. He currently lives in Seattle, WA.
