National Trust CEO Brent Leggs and five site and program leaders explore how the Trust preserves Modernist landmarks—from The Glass House to the Edith Farnsworth House—for today's audiences.

Moderated by National Trust for Historic Preservation President and CEO Brent Leggs, this session brings together five leaders from across the Trust's portfolio of Modernist and historically significant sites and the Trust’s preservation programs to explore what it means to protect, steward, and interpret these places. Together, they will show how the Trust preserves these sites while making them relevant to audiences today, touching on the design ideas behind each site, the people and communities connected to them, and how preservation keeps them living resources for the future.

From Philip Johnson's Glass House to Mies van der Rohe's Edith Farnsworth House, Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House, the Rockefeller family's Marcel Breuer house at Pocantico, and a national initiative preserving Modernist sites by Black architects, speakers will share how their work balances historic authenticity with public engagement, and what continued stewardship means for the future of these places.

Brent Leggs, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and founder of its African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. savingplaces.org/historic-sites

Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar, Executive Director of Woodlawn and Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, VA. woodlawnpopeleighey.org/

Kirsten Reoch, Executive Director of The Glass House by Philip Johnson in New Canaan, CT. theglasshouse.org/

Meredith Horsford, Executive Director of The Pocantico Center in Tarrytown, NY, including Marcel Breuer's iconic Modernist house from the Museum of Modern Art. rbf.org/pocantico

Scott Mehaffey, Executive Director of the Edith Farnsworth House in Plano, IL. edithfarnsworthhouse.org/

Brandon Bibby, Senior Preservation Architect and Manager of Conserving Black Modernism at the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. savingplaces.org/african-american-cultural-heritage

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Photo Credits: Michael Biondo, The Potantico Center, Aurora Area CVB, Lincoln Barbour, NTHP

Location & Attendee Information

  • What are the appropriate ages for this activity?Person Ages 13 and older
  • Are pets, animals, or service animals permitted?Dog on a leash No pets, service animals permitted
  • Are food and drinks permitted?Food and drink No outside food or drinks
  • What are the mobility considerations for this activity?Person walking Seated activity
  • What type of parking is available?Car Parking & handicap parking available
  • Are restrooms available?Restroom sign Restrooms available
  • Is this an indoor or outdoor activity?Sun Indoor activity
  • What is the policy regarding smoking?Cigarette with smoke No smoking or e-cigarettes
  • What type of ADA accessibility is available?Wheelchair Wheelchair accessible
The organizer of this event is: Modernism Week Annenberg Theater Activity

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