(Yeah, go ahead. Say it. “Phoenix and Historic Preservation are oxymorons.” Did you get it out of your system? Ok. Thanks. Proceed.)

In keeping with the National Preservation Month’s May theme—“Discover America’s Hidden Gems”—past and present Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission members will share their favorite Phoenix memories and “hidden gems”.

Nine Phoenix resident commission members, from at least one of the following categories—registered architect, real estate professional, archeologist, and historian—serve on the commission for a three-year term. The newest member is Tazmine Khatri Loomans (“but you can call me, Taz”), architect, writer and advocate for sustainable building practices. Her first committee meeting was May 21, but I know she’ll have plenty to contribute to the celebration! (For more info on Taz, check out her excellent ‘city. sustained.’ Phoenix-based blog, Blooming Rock.)

Maybe we’ll hear something along the lines of discoveries in 2010’s excellent coffee-table book, “Midcentury Marvels: Commercial Architecture of Phoenix, 1945 -1975” co-written by The Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and Ryden Architecture, Inc.

The Phoenix Historic Preservation Office writes books!? And they do a lot more, working to protect and enhance historic neighborhoods, buildings, and sites. They work closely with the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission, to identify designate districts and properties that are eligible for a listing on the Phoenix Historic Property Register.

To qualify as a Historic Property in Phoenix, a property has to be at least 50 years old or have achieved an exceptional level of significance in the past 50 years.

“Significance” can mean one or more of these things: that the property is connected to events have contributed to wide patterns in the Phoenix history; that it is associated with significant people from Phoenix history; that it has, or is likely to in the future, provide information that will be helpful to increasing our understanding of Phoenix history or pre-history; and/or that the construction of the property clearly represents a specific type, period, or method; or it represents the work of an artistic master.

National Historic Preservation Month Celebration
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 29
Encanto Clubhouse
2605 N. 15th Ave.