Friday at PastForward began with our final TrustLive, which featured documentarian Holly Morris. Morris' presentation, which focused on her film, "The Babushkas of Chernobyl," was followed by a discussion with Anna Ricklin from the American Planning Association; Bonnie McDonald from Landmarks Illinois; and Nikos Salingaros, a mathematician from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Both the presentation and the talk that followed addressed the power of place to affect health and well-being.

"Radiation was the poison and home the elixir." @hollymorris on the babushkas of Chernobyl at #PastForward17

— Kirsten (@kjhower1) November 17, 2017

"Radiation doesn't scare me. Starvation does." - Hannah (as told by @hollymorris #PastForward17

— Saving Places (@SavingPlaces) November 17, 2017

Studies have shown that displacement causes anguish, sadness, and general diminishes the health of those who were displaced. Really throws the importance of #preservation into sharp relief. #PastForward17

— Kirsten (@kjhower1) November 17, 2017

Anna Ricklin describing how we orient ourselves in space requires a lot of different senses. (In the film, someone says they were disoriented b/c the sun was rising on the wrong side). This connection, sense of belonging effects health and wellness. #pastforward17

— Saving Places (@SavingPlaces) November 17, 2017

The conference officially ended with the Closing Luncheon, during which the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented the American Express Aspire award to Nicole Marrocco and the nation’s highest preservation honor, the Louise du Pont Crowninshield award, to former National Park Service director Robert G. Stanton. 

#FridayFeeling Thank you @SavingPlaces for an inspiring and affirming #PastForward17. I'm heeding Robert Stanton's adomintion that we have work to do. So in the words of Frederick Douglass, I will "agitate, agitate, agitate." #Advocacy #Activism #TellTheFullHistory pic.twitter.com/C5IRiYb0om

— Faye M. Anderson (@andersonatlarge) November 17, 2017

"I think we should all remain optimistic inthe face of challenge." Bob Stanton challenges the field of historic preservation to reflect the diverse and rich history and people of this nation. "Work and more work needs to be done." #PastForward17

— Saving Places (@SavingPlaces) November 17, 2017

On this final day, the TrustLive, the panels that followed, and the wise words from Stanton all looked ahead at the future of historic preservation. In addition to finding new ways to emphasize the relevance of the field, we were reminded that we need to work together to protect America’s history—not only by saving the historic tax credit, but in all available avenues.

During the Closing Luncheon, National Trust president and CEO Stephanie K. Meeks emphasized the Trust's partnership with Para La Naturaleza (Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico) to raise money for the island as it recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Find out how you can help.

Have something you’d like to talk about? You can continue all of these conversations and more on Forum Connect.

See you next year in San Francisco!

Last year the Tiny Jane prototype had her debut at PastForward in Houston. Since then approx. 200 dolls have have been bought and now circulate around the world AND the doll sales helped 5 emerging professionals attend this year’s PastForward in Chicago. Pic1: OG Tiny Jane in Houston’s City Hall Pic 2- OG Tiny Jane loved stomping around Houston with @michaelrallen and @dtisue Pic3- Tiny Jane 2.0 reunited with her friends to dance on a disco floor. #pastforward #pastforward17 #tinyjanejacobs #historicpreservation

A post shared by TinyJaneJacobs (@tinyjanejacobs) on Nov 18, 2017 at 5:14am PST