Alumni Profile: Christine Henry (M.H.P. ‘10, Ph.D. ‘16)
Christine Henry earned a bit of reputation during her time at the University of Maryland. A graduate and Ph.D. alumnae of UMD’s Historic Preservation program, Christine—who served as a Graduate Assistant and, later, as a teaching assistant to Program Director Don Linebaugh—was MAPP’s in-house dynamo. In addition to the curriculum development, teaching, student management and event planning that comes standard, Christine spearheaded projects like the annual structural audits for the National Park Service and the website for Bostwick House, and created a new undergraduate course, “American Idols,” that explores the stories behind historic buildings. She also squeezed in writing and defending her dissertation and running the largest squished penny museum in the United States—out of the home she shared with her husband, Pete. Now, Christine is making her mark at the University of Mary Washington (where she joins fellow Ph.D. alum Andrea Livi Smith), sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for preservation and the important history that is intertwined with our built environment. While the penny museum has been mothballed for the time being, Christine, true to form, has her hands in plenty of projects. Below, Christine talk about plans underway for next year’s Vernacular Architecture Forum and getting to know her new home of Fredericksburg:
Notable project from this past year: Working on a committee (which also includes UMD Director of Historic Preservation Don Linebaugh) to host the Vernacular Architecture Forum (VAF) annual conference in the summer of 2018. As part of this we are doing a lot of building documentation in Alexandria, Va. and I have brought students from my upper level seminar in vernacular architecture to help with that documentation.
A new tool or technology you cannot live without: Though not new, my iPhone continues to be my most important tool particularly as it evolves with each new iteration. It feels like, daily, there are new apps and ways to use our ubiquitous smart phones to access files and images, find information on the built environment and even do survey work.
Innovation/Idea for shaping the built environment that you think holds promise: The increasing engagement and discussion among the historic preservation community, environmentalists and architects to think holistically about adapting our current environment to serve future needs with the least detrimental impact.
The last great book you read: I read Witold Rybczynski's book Now I Sit Me Down, From Klismos to Plastic Chair: A Natural History which is an engaging read about the design of seating with highlights from centuries of design.
What’s next for you: Professionally, I am working on a couple of articles and presentations, some based on my dissertation research and some based on new research areas. Personally, I am getting to know my new hometown, Fredericksburg, Va., by spending time at the museums, historic sites and parks in the area and talking to people wherever I go.