Building Memories for Generations
Finding Memories in our Architectural Heritage
03.30.07
TAMPA – On April 9, in one of Tampa’s oldest family residences, The Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, The American Institute of Architects, and Reclaiming Our Heritage.org will present:
BUILDING MEMORIES FOR GENERATIONS
Finding Memories in our Architectural Heritage
The evening—part of Reclaiming Our Heritage.org’s annual week-long festival, The Florida Heritage CELEBRAT!ON, and the American Institute of Architect’s 150th celebration—will bring together architects, museum professionals, cultural historians, anthropologists, and memory researchers. Their dialogue, in the Peter O. Knight House (Headquarters of The Tampa Historical Society), will begin a conversation that explores approaching a community’s architectural landscape as a starting-point for family conversations. Architecture is the most visible evidence of a community’s heritage. Gus of the American Institute of Architects, says, “Architecture provides that ‘sense of place’ that gives neighborhoods their unique character and is a public memory book.”
“The Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute’s engaging and optimistic parlor discussion—Building Memories for Generations—will explore a community’s architectural landscape as a catalyst for the beginning of family conversations,” says Melanie Meyer, Byrd Institute, “Recent research has looked at the potential of sparking memories in Alzheimer’s patients through scrapbooks and photo albums. But few have approached a community’s architectural scrapbook as a springboard for producing and preserving family oral histories.”
A nationwide Alzheimer’s epidemic is imminent. In Florida alone, approximately 400,000 people are currently suffering with the disease. Studies show that figure will increase statewide to as many as 712,962 by 2025. After age 85, half of elders in the nation are likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Other will take on the role of caregiver. And as we fight to find a cure, memories can be sparked and treasured before they fade.
“The vision is that this evening will spark commitments for an ongoing discussion that resonates across the Bay community and state in the coming year,” says Devin Ridley-Marks, Reclaiming Our Heritage, Inc. “The result can bring to life the stories of our yesteryears...memories that families can revisit for generations.”
The program, hosted by the Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, will take place during the annual Florida Heritage CELEBRAT!ON (April 5—15, 2007), an annual Bay-wide, week-long series of events themed around the Tampa Bay Area’s 50 boomtown years (circa 1875-1925) “…from Cracker to Flapper!” It will also be part of the American Institute of Architects 150th Anniversary celebration, both nation-wide and in Tampa Bay. The program will be part of Florida’s statewide Florida Heritage Month (March 15—April 15).
Theme: Finding Memories in our Architectural Heritage.
Date & Time: Monday, April 9, 2007, 7-9:30 pm.
Location: The c. 1890 Peter O. Knight House
(Headquarters, Tampa Historical Society).
245 South Hyde Park Ave.
Tampa , FL 33606
Event Panel Participants
Jason Busto, Panelist
West Tampa Preservation Leader
Maureen Patrick, Moderator
President, Tampa Historical Society
Gus Nick Paras, AIA, Panelist
American Institute of Architects, Tampa Chapter
Judge E.J. Salcines, Panelist
Advisory Board, Tampa Historical Society
Linda Saul-Sena, Introductory Comments
Tampa City Councilwoman
FOR TICKETS Call 813.229.3411.
FOR MORE INFO:
Visit www.ByrdInstitute.org or call 813.866.1610 x4115.
Visit www.AIATampaBay.com or call 813.229.3411.
Visit www.ReclaimingOurHeritage.org or call 813.458.2649.
Visit www.HeritageCelebration.org.
The Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute is a nonprofit charged with the mission to prevent and cure Alzheimer's disease. For more, visit ByrdInstitute.org.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional association for architects and those in the architecture field. The AIA (and its regional Tampa Bay chapter) provides educational programs, design competitions, community service programs and serves as the united voice of the architecture profession. For more visit AIATampaBay.com.
Reclaiming Our Heritage, Inc. is a nonprofit organized to locate, preserve, and share the 20 missing years of Southern Florida’s first daily newspaper, The Tampa Daily Times, and celebrate the boomtown stories it chronicled. Each year, the group organizes the Florida Heritage CELEBRAT!ON, it’s premier public outreach effort. For more, visit ReclaimingOurHeritage.org.
The Building Memories for Generations evening is intended as the beginning of an ongoing conversation. If you have an interest in becoming involved as a program partner or sponsor please contact Jennifer Whelihan 813.866.1610 x4115 or Devin Ridley-Marks 813.458.2649.
Directions:
From Tampa International Airport: I-275 North to Downtown East-West Exit. Right off ramp onto Ashley Street. At Kennedy Blvd. (SR 60), turn Right. Follow Kennedy Blvd. across bridge to Hyde Park Ave. (University of Tampa will be on right, at traffic signal). Turn Left onto Hyde Park Ave. Go 2 blocks. The Knight House is on RIGHT, a small yellow Victorian house with an ornamental iron fence. If you cross Platt St. (one way), you have overshot the House.
Parking:
There is limited curbside parking in front of the House. After banking hours, the lot of the Bank of America (adjacent to and just west of the House) is available, as is the Walgreen's parking lot directly across the street. Do not park in or block the driveway of the Knight House. EXERCISE CAUTION CROSSING HYDE PARK AVENUE.
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