Panel Discussion: The Future is in Their Hands: Empowering a Next Generation of Preservationists

A panel of preservation advocates and educators combine their individual perspectives on a future led by next generation preservationists. They will share their knowledge of past and present efforts to insure the future of Charleston’s unique historic fabric and discuss the next generation of leaders soon arriving to succeed them. Where will that next generation of leadership come from? What programs are already in place to educate those leaders? Should there be more of them? Whether as trained crafts people, citizen advocates, preservation planners, or government officials – a new generation of preservationists is emerging. The future of Charleston’s, and our country’s, built environment, historic landscapes and architectural treasures is about to be placed in their hands.

Panel:

Carter Hudgins, moderator, is President, Drayton Hall Preservation Trust. A historian, archaeologist, educator, and preservationist, he previously held the roles of Director of Preservation and Education and Deputy Director before taking the helm of the oldest plantation house museum open to the public in the United States in 2016.

Anthony C. Wood is the author of the award-winning Servant of Beauty (Bloomsbury, 2025) and Preserving New York (Routledge, 2008.) A long-time board member of Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, Tony Wood created Drayton Hall’s Wood Family Fellowship in 2005 to honor his family’s preservation legacy and educate next generation preservationists. A preservation advocate, educator and grantsmaker, his extensive knowledge of the history of preservation offers both a contemporary and a historic perspective on its future.

Mary Pope Hutson is President of Sweet Briar College. With a long career in preservation and land conservation, she is currently the visionary head of a women’s college educating women of consequence that is located on a Ralph Adams Cram campus in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. Mary Pope brings to the panel the perspectives of a veteran educator and preservation advocate.

Benjamin Prosky is President, Richard Hampton Jenerette Foundation. With a mission of advancing education, innovation, and stewardship in the fields of historic preservation, the decorative arts, and historic landscape, the Jenrette Foundation funds innovative programs that advance preservation education and supports numerous training opportunities for growing numbers of next generation preservationists. Ben Prosky previously served as Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY) and the Center for Architecture.