Preservation in the Park
The Porch in Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Third Tuesday of the Month May through October at 5:30 p.m.
FREE
No reservation required.
Join Cincinnati Preservation
to hear about the stories that the historic sites and structures of Cincinnati tell.
Grab a drink from the bar, sit back and let us tell you a story…
Season Sponsors
2024 Season Lineup
Exploring Civic Architecture
This season Preservation in the Park will delve into the stories of civic buildings, architecture and history. Come learn about how these spaces that were designed to serve the public have shaped our city and region.
City Beautiful Movement
Tuesday, May 21st 5:30 p.m.
by Beth Johnson, CPA Executive Director
The City Beautiful Movement emerged at the turn of the century focusing on the aesthetics of a city. This month’s talk will explain how this movement influenced our civic aesthetics and helped frame how our public buildings, parks, and boulevards were designed.
Southgate Street School
Tuesday, June 18th 5:30 p.m.
by Scott Clark, City of Newport Historic Preservation Officer
The City of Newport is exemplifying stewardship of this important African American School through its reuse. Come hear about this plus the new book, The Legacy of Southgate Street School, that was created in partnership with NKU. Learn more about the Southgate Street School here.
Spring Grove Cemetery
Tuesday, July 16th 5:30 p.m.
by Amanda Frietsch, Spring Grove Cemetary Docent
Spring Grove Cemetery beautifully expresses a lawn plan cemetery design that integrates natural landscape with classical architecture. Get to know more about this local iconic site, and read about Spring Grove Cemetery’s history here.
Cincinnati Public School Architecture
Tuesday, August 20th 5:30 p.m.
by Anne Delano Steinhert, Visiting Assistant Professor & Director, Center for the City, Department of History, College of Art and Sciences
Cincinnati historic public schools are architectural icons dotted throughout the city and were shaped over time by architectural and educational movements. Explore them with an educator, historian and director of the Center for the City at this month’s talk.
Cincinnati Police Stations
Tuesday, September 17th 5:30 p.m.
by Alan March, Historian, Retired Cincinnati Police Officer, and Author of Cincinnati Police Stations, a Brief Illustrated History
A vast number and variety of buildings have served the Cincinnati Police Department. The variety of station houses are tangible testaments to the city’s commitment to public safety. Learn about them and their role in our collective history.
Fire Museum – Cincinnati First Fire
Tuesday, October 15th 5:30 p.m.
by Sarah Strickland, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Fire Museum
In 1853, the first paid professional fire department in the United States was founded in Cincinnati and it changed American firefighting forever. Hear the history at the final talk of the season.
We've added one more Preservation in the Park to this year's season, and this time we'll be at a new park!
Organic Architecture
Tuesday, Oct 29th 5:30 pm
At Bellevue Pavillion in Bellevue Hill Park in Clifton Heights, Cincinnati
2191 Ohio Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219
The casual lecture will be on Organic Architecture and Cincinnati Parkitect Carl Freund.
BYO blanket or chair. There will be a cash bar plus music after the talk.
Join this FREE event where no RSVP is needed!
Past Seasons
2023
Mandy Askins and Kelsey Stryffe, Cincinnati Observatory
Dr. Eric Jackson, NKU History Department
A history of African Americans in OTR
Bill Parrish, Eckstein Cultural Arts Center
Eckstein School
Mike Morgan, Potters Field of Price Hill
Christian Huelsman, Spring in Our Steps
Dr. Bonnie Meyer, NKY Pride Center
2022
“The Little Theater That Saved Memorial Hall”
by William Bauman
“Cincinnati Music Hall: Why Details Matter”
by Thea Tjepkema
“Findlay Market” by Anne Delano Steinert