Editors Note: The Barbara Baer Capitman archives “Historic Threads” project is partly sponsored by the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the State of Florida.
In 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation held its annual conference at the Cincinnati Omni Netherlands/Plaza, a restored 1930 Art Deco hotel. In Barbara Baer Capitmans own words, the event highlighted the role of preservation in revitalizing cities. The conference would highlight the style’s potential for urban renewal. MDPL’s preservation efforts to rescue the Senator Hotel were outlined to emphasize the benefits of saving historic buildings.
Excerpts and quotes from the article are highlighted below in blue.
Speakers at the Conference included Tony Goldman, developer of several properties in Miami Beach and Leonard Horowitz IDSA, color specialist for the Park Central and the neighboring Imperial Hotel, will discuss the almost high tech metal and glass look of this newest model for Beach architecture. A common thread at this Conference will be the potential for Art Deco as a means to revitalization in cities large and small throughout America. The significant changes wrought by preservationists in Miami Beach in all its manifestations from the sale of T-shirts to the opening of new discos will be the message carried by tourism officials local press and presentation leaders of Miami Beach to the Conference.
Basic to all this discussion will be last year’s Conference theme “Don’t Tear it Down!” Last year at the conference Congressman Dante Fascell and other members of Congress sent postcards to Mayor Daoud urging him not to allow tearing the hotel Senator down. With the Senator still standing a year later, delegates will again be asked to focus on the Senator, a prime example of advantages accruing to a city which saves the fabric of its historic district rather than succumbing to providing parking as it allows destruction of the buildings the public comes to park for.
The pilgrimage to Cincinnati, a first for all involved, is seen as a two-edged mission. Through slides, exhibits, fashions, and even Art Deco wine served in hospitality suites throughout the conference. Miami Beach delegates will be showing the richness and many fasceted appeal of this early 20th century style. The Conference should increase tourism to the District for some time to come. But equally important will be the impact upon Miamians who often tend to think that all Art Deco is centered in Miami and that all preservation is Art Deco.
