About the Modernism + Recent Past Program
Farnsworth House, a National Trust Historic Site, at dusk.
Credit: George Lambros Photography.
The National Trust has long recognized the rich contributions of Modernism and recent past resources to our nation's heritage. Our acquisition of the Philip Johnson Glass House in 1986 and purchase of Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House in 2003 testify to our commitment to stewarding and promoting great works of the Modernist movement. The National Trust has also been active in preserving the many treasures of Modernism and the recent past found along America's roadsides, in its metropolitan centers, and on Main Street. Our advocacy, technical assistance, and grant programs have helped save Modern and recent past resources as diverse as the Sumner School in Topeka, Kansas, historic Route 66 motels, and Lustron houses.
At a time when development pressures, the vagaries of the economy, and aging infrastructure put more Modern and recent past resources at risk, the National Trust recommits itself to raising public awareness, improving public policy, and supporting grassroots advocacy in this important area of preservation.
Working with our local, state, and national partners, the Modernism + Recent Past Program seeks to increase preservation of Modern and recent past historic places by:
- Advocating at the federal, state, and local level for the protection of recent past heritage
- Increasing public awareness and support for preservation of our recent heritage
- Fostering an engaged community of people dedicated to saving twentieth-century resources
- Developing and sharing best practices for preservation of Modern and recent past assets across the nation, and
- Documenting twentieth-century resources and advocating for their inclusion in national and state registers
Housed in the Western Office of the National Trust in San Francisco, CA the Modernism + Recent Past Program is directed by Christine Madrid French. The Program partners closely with the National Trust's Historic Sites. A new Center for Modernism at the Philip Johnson Glass House will serve as a scholarly, technical, and advisory center for saving modern environments.
The Modernism + Recent Past Program is made possible by a generous grant from the Henry Luce Foundation.
