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Independence, MO —
Heather Carpini started as the city of Independence’s historic preservation manager in early July. Originally from Connecticut, Carpini earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in public history/historic preservation at the University of South Carolina. She worked in the private sector as an architectural historian for six years, prior to moving to Independence.
The historic preservation manager implements and manages a preservation program for the city of Independence Community Development Department, which includes providing staff support to the city’s Heritage Commission.
This is an excerpt of Carpini’s recent interview with The Examiner.
1. What motivated you to apply for the Independence job? Did you have any prior knowledge of the city before applying?
I did not, actually, have any prior knowledge of the city of Independence. When the job position became open, I was previously working for an engineering firm as a historic preservation consultant, and I really wanted to get into the government side of it. ... The one for the city of Independence was very interesting to me because when I started doing research on Independence, it has a lot of history associated with it – the parts that are very well known and then some parts that are not so well known. It has some really great historic resources that span from the 1820s all the way up until the mid-20th century.
2. What do the words “historic preservation” mean to you?
For me, historic preservation is really about capturing the memory of a community in its built resources, not just commercial and government buildings, but also the residential neighborhoods, but, at the same time, really being able to tell the story of a community through those resources and allow them to continue to be used for an effective 21st century purpose. ... Reuse of historic buildings and infrastructure is really good sustainable environmental policy, as well. ... It’s a combination of economic development, community character and environmentalism.
3. What are some goals you have as the city’s historic preservation manager?
My biggest goal for this city is to make historic preservation something that people want to do. I would like to get people involved in historic preservation and have them realize it’s more than just the Truman Home or the Vaile Mansion. Those are some very visible aspects of it, but at the same time, using preservation as a tool to help bring new people into downtown (the Square) and bring more residents into the downtown area – I’d really like to expand the number of historic resources that we have designated in this city. Historic neighborhoods tend to have higher property values, after a time, and they tend to be more thriving.
Heather Carpini started as the city of Independence’s historic preservation manager in early July. Originally from Connecticut, Carpini earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in public history/historic preservation at the University of South Carolina. She worked in the private sector as an architectural historian for six years, prior to moving to Independence.
The historic preservation manager implements and manages a preservation program for the city of Independence Community Development Department, which includes providing staff support to the city’s Heritage Commission.
This is an excerpt of Carpini’s recent interview with The Examiner.
1. What motivated you to apply for the Independence job? Did you have any prior knowledge of the city before applying?
I did not, actually, have any prior knowledge of the city of Independence. When the job position became open, I was previously working for an engineering firm as a historic preservation consultant, and I really wanted to get into the government side of it. ... The one for the city of Independence was very interesting to me because when I started doing research on Independence, it has a lot of history associated with it – the parts that are very well known and then some parts that are not so well known. It has some really great historic resources that span from the 1820s all the way up until the mid-20th century.
2. What do the words “historic preservation” mean to you?
For me, historic preservation is really about capturing the memory of a community in its built resources, not just commercial and government buildings, but also the residential neighborhoods, but, at the same time, really being able to tell the story of a community through those resources and allow them to continue to be used for an effective 21st century purpose. ... Reuse of historic buildings and infrastructure is really good sustainable environmental policy, as well. ... It’s a combination of economic development, community character and environmentalism.
3. What are some goals you have as the city’s historic preservation manager?
My biggest goal for this city is to make historic preservation something that people want to do. I would like to get people involved in historic preservation and have them realize it’s more than just the Truman Home or the Vaile Mansion. Those are some very visible aspects of it, but at the same time, using preservation as a tool to help bring new people into downtown (the Square) and bring more residents into the downtown area – I’d really like to expand the number of historic resources that we have designated in this city. Historic neighborhoods tend to have higher property values, after a time, and they tend to be more thriving.
4. What are some interesting facts you’ve learned in your time with the city, and what would you still like to learn and discover?
There is a ton of stuff that I still need to learn. I think it’s really interesting how the city of Independence grew from its original old town into what it is now. I really want to learn more about … everything – there are just so many stories that I want learn that I keep getting pieces of as I go through what we’re doing, with the Heritage Commission and some of the properties that we’re working with around town. I’d love to learn more about the untold stories of the people of Independence – the working class people, the women. Independence has always been very focused on its Truman story, which is a fantastic story, but it’s not the only part of Independence. There’s such a dynamic, diverse history.
5. Why should residents care about historic preservation in their communities?
A lot of people view historic preservation as something that hinders growth and development in a community. I think that it is something that actually helps a community to grow and develop. Some of the most historic cities in the country are also some of the most dynamic, such as Boston, New York and Charleston, S.C. They’re all places where people want to live and visit. Everyone who lives in Independence wants the city to grow and diversify its economic base, to get more people to come here and be tourists.
