Chris Moore has been named new Executive Director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation effective October 1. Chris joined the Trust in 2005 as the organization’s first Field Director. As director of advocacy for the Trust, Chris traveled extensively throughout the state, meeting with property owners, grassroots preservationists, and elected officials, working with them to effect positive outcomes for threatened historic places in their communities. Chris managed two of the Trust’s most important, longstanding programs: the Most Endangered Historic Properties Program, which focuses the Trust’s advocacy efforts on a community-nominated list of historic properties threatened by demolition or neglect; and the Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund, which provides small but meaningful grants to groups working to save cherished community landmarks.
In partnership with the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Chris also administered two highly successful preservation grant programs: the Washington Heritage Barn Preservation Grant Program and Historic County Courthouse Rehabilitation Grant Program. Since being established in 2007, the Heritage Barn Program has officially recognized over 500 historically significant barns and awarded nearly $1 million in grant funding to 46 barns across the state. The state funding is matched by the property owners and is used to stabilize these iconic structures and keep them in agricultural use. The Historic County Courthouse program has awarded over $12 million in state funding to 22 county courthouses, leveraging over $33 million in overall capital investment. Chris holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California at San Diego and an MA in Preservation Studies from Boston University.
“The strength of every organization resides in its people, and Chris Moore has been a huge part of statewide historic preservation advocacy since he joined the Trust in 2005,” wrote Board President David Strauss of SHKS Architects in Seattle. “In his capacity as Field Director, Chris became the face of the organization in communities across the state and was a calm and effective voice for preservation on numerous challenging issues. We are delighted that Chris has accepted the Executive Director position and look forward to working with him as he assumes this new leadership position with the Trust.”
Chris replaces longtime Executive Director Jennifer Meisner, who joined the Trust in 2006 and is leaving at the end of September to pursue other opportunities in preservation. Under Jennifer’s leadership, the Trust expanded its capacity to more effectively deliver its mission: to save the places that matter to all Washingtonians and to promote active, vital communities through historic preservation. Jennifer led the Trust in building solid partnerships with countless preservation organizations, agencies and groups, expanding its programing to include downtown revitalization through management of the Washington State Main Street Program, engaging a younger and more diverse audience through its Discover Washington: Youth Heritage Project, developing new revenue sources from the Stimson-Green Mansion to help sustain and preserve its landmark headquarters and support the broader organizational mission, and becoming Washington’s collective voice for preservation in Olympia and Washington, DC.
“There are so many exciting opportunities on the horizon for the Washington Trust, and I am thrilled that the organization will be in Chris’ highly capable hands,” said Jennifer. “With support from our engaged Board of Directors, talented staff and dedicated members, Chris will surely take the Trust and preservation in Washington State to new heights.”
The Washington Trust will say farewell to Jennifer and welcome Chris to his new position at its upcoming Vintage Washington event on September 26 at the Stimson-Green Mansion. For more information about the event, visit the Trust’s website at www.preservewa.org.
Mission of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, an independent, non-profit organization, is dedicated to saving the places that matter in Washington State and promoting sustainable and economically viable communities through historic preservation. The Trust helps make local preservation work and builds an ethic that preserves Washington’s historic places through advocacy, education, collaboration and stewardship. Founded in 1976, the Washington Trust addresses its mission through the annual Most Endangered Historic Properties List, educational tours of its landmark headquarters, the Stimson-Green Mansion in Seattle, conferences and training workshops, a quarterly members’ newsletter, a small grants fund, and action on legislation and public policy. Visit the Trust website at www.preservewa.org for more information.
