NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

10/18/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -The National Park Service's National Center for Preservation Technology and Training will dedicate Lee H. Nelson Hall on the campus of Northwestern State University Nov. 6-7.

Nelson was a distinguished architect of the National Park Service and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He was a pioneer and mentor to those in the preservation community. Nelson joined the National Park Service as a summer intern in 1958 and retired as chief of the Preservation Assistance Division in 1990. He died in 1994. During his 32 years with the National Park Service Nelson was a recipient of the National Park Service's two highest awards, the Meritorious Service Award in 1974 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1988.

Nelson perceived the critical need for a center dedicated to preservation research and preservation technology early in his career. In 1962, at a preservation meeting in Philadelphia, Nelson and a number of architects, engineers, and exhibit specialists of the National Park Service discussed their desire for a center of this type. Nelson understood and endorsed the need for technology to be used as a tool in a preservation context and worked for many years to help establish a center for this purpose. NCPTT was established in 1992 and placed on the Northwestern campus.

During his years with the National Park Service, Nelson helped formulate national policies on historic preservation consistent with his personal philosophy of identifying and retaining authentic materials and documenting physical data as a record for posterity.
His most significant early work with the National Park Service was doing research, documentation and restoration at Independence Hall.

Nelson's philosophy of the preservation of historic materials rather than their replacement, lead to innovative technological engineering solutions, where the use of
steel minimized the damage to or removal of the original building fabric at Independence Hall. He was always looking for solutions that protected the historic character of buildings with the retention of historic materials.

In 1972, Nelson was named program manager for the development of technical preservation information as part of the Secretary of the Interior's responsibilities under an Executive Order. In 1979, he became chief of Technical Preservation Services. This office was later renamed the Preservation Assistance Division. He helped develop the "Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties," set in place procedures for compliance for projects utilizing federal funding, and guided the development of the preservation tax incentives program.

Dedication events begin Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. with a cocktail buffet at Nelson Hall. At 8 p.m., the Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear Department of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern will present a concert gala, "A Celebration of America" in Magale
Recital Hall. Limited seating is available for the gala which will feature the NSU Fall Wind Ensemble and Northwestern's combined choirs.

National, state, local and NPS dignitaries will participate in the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremonies that are scheduled for Wednesday Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. followed by a reception and a tour of the new facility. The dedication and tour are open to the public. Those attending will have a chance to see Nelson Hall's laboratory facilities and learn how the state of the art facility will provide greater opportunities to fulfill the organization's mission of using technology to preserve America's cultural heritage.

For more information, call (318) 356-7444.

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