In this period of my career in 2015 and beyond, I observed first hand how we, architects, historians, and historic preservationists can craft a narrative in support of or against the landmark nomination of a building or site with the data we observe about it.

My first exposure to the power of the written word to destroy or preserve in their realm of history and historic preservation was during my time volunteering in Seattle on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee of 4Culture and its ad hoc committee that I named, Beyond Integrity.

A museum? In the subway? Yes!

Let’s return to yesterday’s posts where I introduced you to the art of Nick Cave. Nick Cave (@nickcaveart), like pioneering author, movie producer and director Oscar Michaeux who we met yesterday, creates art that takes control of the narrative about Black people, our experience, our joy and pain, our sunshine and rain, a fuller experience and narrative.

His artwork installation in tile form at the 42nd St/Bryant Park and 42nd St/Times Sq are the reasons why NYC’s subway is at the top of my Must See Museums list.

Just for fun, for all the building lovers out there ... if you could marry a building, which building would you pick? Yes, you read that correctly, if you could marry a building, which building would you pick? Feel free to share in the comments.

Well, my answer is the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. And, this time last week, I did something beyond my wildest dreams — I walked as a model in the museum … and up, to the very top of this temple of art … in 6” heels, too.

From February 20 - 24, 2023, I tookover the National Council on Public History’s Instagram account. It was their first one for 2023. To give visitors to the accounts, mine (@wrkSHapkiloWatt) and NCPH’s (@publichistorian), a taste of one of my favorite things, I presented the captions from the perspective of exploring the New York City / MTA subway system. Also, I had the idea of picking a word of the week. Throughout the week, I wove the word I chose, “narrative”, in my captions, which were narrations about my offerings to public history, historic preservation, and my favorite art museum - the New York City / MTA subway system. I now present NCPH Instagram Takeover, Day 1, Intro.

Is it the ethical duty of architects, historians, historic preservationists, journalists, communications teams, teachers to (un)redact the facts of historical narratives to tell a fuller history…