Speaker Notes:

Slide 1: Welcome, I’m Jeff Guin. I’m a 1995 graduate of Northwestern’s journalism program. I am currently the public information officer for the Natonal park service’s National Center for Preservation Technology. I’m also an adjunct instructor in the journalism department here teaching public relations courses.

Slide 2: Starting pretty quick, you are going to be pulled in a number of directions. You will have to make a lot of decisions that will affect the rest of your life. It’s all happening pretty quick and the choices can be overwhelming sometimes. Your choice of a college is critical to your future.

Slide 3: Ultimately, what we’re all looking for is to find a meaningful way to contribute. To find fulfillment in our personal and professional lives. To do that, you have to answer one question first: “Who are you?” What are your values? Your beliefs? Your dreams? What drives your passions?

Slide 4: Obviously, you have some vague idea that you’d like to be a journalist or you wouldn’t be here. Take a moment to think about that. Is it because you like to write? Because you want to make a difference? Because you want to meet cool people? Those are worthy goals, but first, let’s take a look at reality …

Slide 5: It’s not a pretty picture is it? Television, radio and print media are all struggling to stay afloat. These companies have defined journalism for a century or more, yet now find themselves suddenly outdated and struggling to survive.

Slide 6: So, right now you may be thinking “OK, so maybe Accounting would be a good career after all…or maybe you’re just thinking …

Slide 7: I bet you think this a lot during classes, don’t you. Guess what? You’re on the right track.

Slide 8: If you’ve used Facebook. If you’ve set up a profile and updated it, you have already had a taste of the future of journalism. It’s been almost two years since Time Magazine made you–yes you–and all the other web users of the world, its person of the year.  At the time, it was a bold statement and was met with some ridicule. But now, I think everyone is beginning to realize how social media–also known as Web 2.0–is fundamentally changing the way we communicate.

Slide 9: So here’s another question: Do you know what social media is? (ask for crowd responses)

Slide 10: If you use any of these tools, you ARE using social media. These social tools have one purpose in common: to communicate information to audiences of like-minded people.

Slide 11: So words best describe what social media is about? Interestingly, many of those words begin with the letter “C”. Let’s think about these concepts …

Slide 12: Is there a platform more capable of widespread distribution that the World Wide Web?

Slide 13: Of all the things this new era of journalism promises, the most exciting from my perspective is the ability to find your voice. To connect with others that share your ideals and then be able to make a lasting difference without regard to how much money you have or where you’re from is pretty much all you need to begin the process of self-discovery.

Slide 14: Social media is about conversation. One of the reasons traditional media is having a problem adjusting is that it is still stuck in the gatekeeper paradigm. The fact is, that people want to make up their own minds based on informed conversation. The journalist’s new role can best be summed up as conversation pilot, rather than gate keeper. They still have the ability to raise questions, and even set the tone for discussion, but they don’t control it.

Slide 15: In that same vein, Social media journalism is about listening to an audience as much as it is about reporting the news. Even after an item goes to print or a package is aired on the six o’clock news, the story doesn’t necessarily end there. Many times, it’s only the beginning. The ability to stay engaged with a story and an audience is becoming a valued skill among new media journalists. Essentially, when you report a story, you take some form of ownership for it and commit to following it through.

Slide 16: The web is about conversation and community, but it’s also about leadership. You have a great deal of autonomy to stand up and make a difference, but you also have a great deal of responsiblity to do the right thing and not hurt people. And you still have to know how to write correctly if you want any sort of credibility!

Slide 17: Has anyone here used Second Life? (crowd response) Then you know, on the social web, you are free to develop your own identity. You aren’t bound by the expectations of people who know you, and there’s a great deal of freedom in that.  But with that freedom comes a  lot of responsibility. What you post to the web today could potentially be seen by your great-grandchildren.

Slide 18: Has anyone ever posted to YouTube? Anyone get comments? More than 10? 20? (crowd response) Then you know that anything you post on YouTube has just as much chance of going viral as something posted by a Fortune 500 company. On the social web, content is king. It’s a place where thought leadership and artistic expression hold more sway than slick production values.

Slide 19: Social media is easy to use and immediate in delivery. It offers instant feedback. As a result, the mainstream media have hopped on the bandwagon. Hit shows like American Idol encourage viewers to vote for their favorite contestants;  the more opportunities they have to personalize these things, the more engaged they’ll be. Social media caters to folks who are used to getting what they want, precisely when they want it—delivered on their favorite devices, including iPods, iPhones, and game consoles, like Playstation. This is affecting traditional entertainment too. Shows like Gossip Girl and Lipstick Jungle were ratings disasters—at least, in terms of traditional TV ratings. But when network executives took into account the buzz on blogs and fan pages, recordings on DVR and downloads on iTunes, they realized the shows were actually very successful.

Slide 20: This ease of use and immediacy makes social media extremely empowering. You can do a lot of good with it, or a lot of bad. In either case, what you post will be your legacy. That means it will likely impact your ability to find employment. The first thing human resource managers do now is Google potential job candidates. So make your mark intentionally and do it with class.

Slide 21: Social media is about helping people of similar values find each other regardless of their location or culture. Whatever you’re into, there’s someone out there who shares that passion and wants to talk about it.
This offers a lot of opportunity for the future journalist, because you can explore your interests, rather than reporting on subjects limited to the location you happen to be living in at the time.

Slide 22: Social media has given birth to a number of mobile possibilities.
I recently got a contract job producing a high-profile video blog this way.This came as a result of a chance meeting at a cemetery, of all places! I pulled up some of my past video by using the YouTube function of my iPhone. Quicker and more effective than a business card! I can take photos, record interviews, post to my blog and even use twitter from my iPhone. When Apple figures out how to make it take quality video, it has the potential to be the perfect newsgathering tool.

Slide 23: This all boils down to the fact that social media is rooted in journalism. Every time you post something, you have taken part in this new publishing paradigm. The question is “are you ready to take the next step into this new world?

Slide 24: Which brings us back to the question …

Slide 25: Northwestern State University can’t give you the answer to that question. What we can do is offer you the tools and opportunity to answer that question on your own. It’s about pursuing your passion and making a difference, not just for an editor, but for the world and the things you care about. Northwestern can help you along that path.

Slide 26: So, to recap …

Slide 27: I want to wrap this up by telling you about the guy you’ve seen in most of these slides. His name is Hunter Wilson. He’s a senior in high school who last year decided to take up digital photography as a hobby. Since then, he’s produced one digitally-enhanced photo each day and posted it on the photo sharing service Flickr. His photos have been viewed hundreds of times and he’s become a rockstar on the web. All he had to do was discover his passion. The web gave him the platform for expression. If you’d like more information on social media in journalism, you can contact me via e-mail. Thanks for being with us today and I hope to see you next fall.

By Kevin Clarkston

A facelift, an auction and an award for most likely to survive a fire are in order for three buildings featuring historic architecture.

Michigan’s historic Howell building, currently home to a Dairy Queen and Skater’s Advocate, was recently purchased by three investors seeking to renovate the site. The building, a shining example of Victorian Era-style architecture, is currently in disarray with three upstairs apartments in serious need of updating, according to Rencsak.

In addition the upstairs windows will be replaced to meet the Downtown Development Authority’s standards, and the State Street portico will also be repaired, with the side and the back areas also being restored. Rencsak said completing the project may take severals, as the new owners want to be careful in maintaining the building’s true architecture.

“The thing is with an old building like that you kind of have to take time to see what’s where and figure out how you can maximize what the building was but still make it suitable for modern uses.”

While the Howell building’s new owners are giving their estate a makeover, Jerraine Long is selling hers. The estate, a two story, three bedroom, four and a half bathroom house nestled in New Orlean’s historic French Quarter will go on sale at a real estate auction Thursday, November 13 at 2 p.m. The sale will be managed by J.P. King Auction Company, a leading national firm that specializes in luxury properties.

The estate, built in 1817, is certainly full of both luxury and historical architecture:

• In the mid-1900’s, it served as a Gallery Circle Theatre
• The estate’s centerpiece is a private courtyard with a pool tailor made for entertaining
• The courtyard’s garden section contains both a sprinkler system and fertilizer
• The estate boasts hand painted murals, two kitchens, beautiful copper ceilings, cypress flooring, exposed brick, granite countertops, a spiral staircase, theatre room, and an antique bar area

The house is also ideal for those who want to experience the excitement of Mardi Gras firsthand. Long sums up the estate’s appeal:

“This is the type of house you never get tired of, a home that makes you love it even more over time. “It’s truly un-describable. It has a personality all of its own, where each room has its own theme.”

However, the future of the McLauchlan building, a 130-year-old historic structure, is uncertain. The Italianate building, built in New Brunswick’s historic Woodstock downtown area, was designated a Historic Local Place on July 7, 2006. It was chosen partly for its Italianate architecture.

Built after a horrendous fire in 1877, the building’s history has been marked by brushes with fire. The building was nearly destroyed twice in the 1960s, with two separate incidents in 1960 and 1968 that demolished many surrounding structures. However the McLauchlan building’s luck may have run out, with an Oct. 29 fire that left severe damage.

While numerous renovations, such as the covering of the original brick storefront with grey plaster, have taken place over the years, it is unclear if the building will survive or meet its demise at the hands of the wrecking ball. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Related Links:

Faubourgs Tremé and Marigny Are French Quarter Neighbors Rich in History and Architecture

French Quarter Architecture Photo Gallery

Downtown Howell History Tour

Featured photo on Flickr by Luke Robinson

According to the Gettysburg Times, Judge Alan Kay has told the Recent Past Preservation Network and National Park Service officials to discuss a possible relocation agreement for the old Gettysburg Clyclorama. The park plans to demolish the building in mid-December.

Attorneys for Recent Past Preservation will seek an injunction if an agreement is not reached with the Park Service on relocating the building. The group maintains the significance of the building based on its status as a rare East Coast project by Richard Neutra. Neutra is considered one of modernism‘s most important architects.

The Gettysburg Cyclorama reopened on Sept. 26, 2008 at the new visitor center, which includes a 24,000 square foot Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War. After an introductory film, visitors proceed into a room containing the cyclorama, which surrounds the viewers and puts them in the middle of the battle.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/mmedia/player/wpniplayer_viral.swf?thisObj=fo781639&vid=091808-74v_title

The panorama oil painting by Paul Dominique Phillippoteaux depicts Pickett’s Charge, at which the Union army stood against Lee’s Confederate troops in 1863. The painting was first shown in Boston in 1884 until it was moved it Gettysburg from 1910-13. After this initial movement, it was overpainted to hide the flaws or breaks. More overpaint repairs were made in the 1940’s and 1959-62.

The most recent restoration efforts by Olin Conservation Inc. of Great Falls, Virginia, and Perry Huston & Associates, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas began in 2003 by removing dirt from the canvas and consolidating to secure loose or flaking paint. Olin and Huston have removed layers of repair paint from previous projects which had altered the original scene. The goal was to restore the painting as closely as possible to it’s original state, as it was when Phillippoteaux painted it.

Blogger Leslie Johnston recently discussed her visit to the newly restored Cyclorama, describing the way that the three-dimensional diorama at the base of the cyclorama “leads seamlessly into the painting.” Johnston praises the sound and light show which recreates Pickett’s Charge, putting the visitor in the middle of the battle. Of the Cyclorama, she writes, “It’s still an amazing illusion and it takes your breath away.”

Photo Slideshow

View the Clyclorama Photo Slideshow by miss_leslie on Flickr

Additional Links 

Two offered to take old Cyclorama building

Judge hears arguments to save Cyclorama

1884 Gettysburg painting restored, back on display

ALL FIRED UP

http://blip.tv/play/AYiAbrY_

A hearty welcome to John Leeke of Historic HomeWorks as he joins Voices of the Past’s “staff” of video bloggers. John’s main interest is “helping people understand and maintain their older and historic buildings.” In this entry, he speaks to Paul Marlowe of Marlowe Restorations in Connecticut about proper repair methods. Then, we’re treated to a demonstration of a timber repair.

By Kevin Clarkston

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne has recently designated 16 sites in 11 states as new National Historic Landmarks. The designation means the sites have been recognized for possessing an exceptional value or quality in displaying the heritage of the United States.

One these newly christened historic sites, the Municipal Auditorium, located in Shreveport, LA, contains a rich musical history, specifically in rock n’ roll. The auditorium, which was the site of the famous Louisiana Hayride, was also the place where Elvis Presley played as a young rising star. Shreveport Councilman Michael Long was quoted as saying:

“It’s a wonderful designation that, hopefully, will allow us to go out and find grant money and other additional funding to do the things we need to do to make that a functional place.”

Other new historic sites mentioned in the Department of the Interior’s news release include:

• The Aaron Copeland House In Cortlandt Manor, NY, where the musician wrote his memoirs, composed major works such as ballet, chamber, orchestral and piano music, and lived from 1960 until his death in 1990.
• The Forty Acres in Delano, Calif., which acted as headquarters for the United Farmworkers of America, the first permanent labor union in the U.S.
• Lyceum in the Circle of Historic District of Oxford, Miss., where racial tensions and riots happened due to the efforts James Meredith to transfer from a historically black college to the all-white University of Mississippi.
• Camp Uncas, located in Mohegan Lake, NY; widely recognized as the shining example of Adirondack camp architecture and designed by William West Durant, the camp had a massive influence on the design of rustic structures built for 20th century national and state park systems.
• Freedom Tower, Miami, FL; Offered assistance to many Cuban Americans who immigrated as political exiles to South Florida during the 1960s and 70s after Fidel Castro came to power in 1959.

Being declared a National Historic Landmark is no small feat. Fewer than 2,500 historic places are designated as national landmarks, and sites nominated by the National Park Service staff must be reviewed by the National Park System Advisory Board, which then makes recommendations to the Secretary of Interior for sites to designated. When a property is labeled a National Historic Landmark it is automatically place in the National Register of Historic places, if it is not already listed there.

Secretary Kempthorne expressed his satisfaction with these new additions to U.S. heritage history by saying:

“I am proud to be able to designate these sites as National Historic Landmarks. They are part of the historic and cultural fabric of our country. They have helped make us who we are as a nation and I hope they will continue to educate and inspire Americans for generations to come.”

Related Links:

The Alden House Historic Site

Montana Archeology: The Rosebud Battlefield Site

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum-Podcasts

Shenandoah National Park-Driving Skyline Drive

Featured photo by Senor Adventure on Flickr