Our recent field trip to Boston gave us so many reasons to be excited to PRP4. Here are five reasons to bundle up and join us in Boston this March!

1. Return to the “Ugly Valley”

One of the highlights of PRP3 was the revelation of the “ugly valley.” As explained by Michael Kubo, the term refers to “a dip in the sine curve of a building's popularity that generally occurs about 40-60 years into its history.” Explore the challenges we face in preserving sites of the recent past on tours such as “Return to Ugly Valley: Icon or Eyesore,” which takes participants through the architectural history and urban development of Boylston Street (including a surprising interior of the former Museum of Science, now a Restoration Hardware) and “Skyline Stories,” which traverses Boston’s Financial District.

2. Take advantage of the best time of year for architectural photography

No leaves, no problem! As seasoned architectural photographers will tell you, the best time for building photos is when there’s nothing blocking the view. This is especially helpful as we tour the Modernist enclaves of the Lincoln and Lexington suburbs, including Six Moon Hill, Peacock Farm, and Gropius House. Get your camera (or phone) ready and get your shot!

3. Tour the “Athens of America”

With over thirty-five institutions of higher education within the city limits, and many more surrounding the city, Boston boasts a long intellectual tradition – and an architectural tradition that accompanies it. PRP4 participants can choose from several tours exploring notable campuses such as Harvard (don’t miss the Nivola Sandscape Mural in the Josep Lluís Sert-designed Science Center), MIT (attendees will also have a chance to enjoy Kresge Auditorium during the Closing Plenary), Wellesley, and Paul Rudolph’s Brutalist UMass Dartmouth campus.

4. Rare chance to see Kahn's Exeter Library

We’ll let the pictures speak for themselves, but if you still need to cross this iconic Louis Kahn-designed building off your architecture bucket list, here is your chance. We’ve arranged a special trip the Exeter campus, no longer accessible to the public, the day before PRP4 starts. See the library, a dining hall also designed by Kahn, and other notable recent past buildings. Less than 10 tickets remaining.

5. Do a little food tourism, too

You’ll need to fuel yourself to enjoy the packed schedule we have planned. Check out Parker House for the original Parker House Rolls and Boston Cream Pie. Pick up a delicious morning pastry and coffee at Flour, a small local chain conveniently located across the street from Hilton Back Bay, the conference hotel. Make a stop at Wilson Farm, a delightful indoor farmer’s market in Lexington, for some gourmet souvenirs to take home with you. When it’s all over, treat yourself to some cannoli at Mike’s Pastry or Bova's (Docomomo staff Kim Philip's rec) in the Italian North End.

Ready to  ship up to Boston? Registration for PRP4 and conference tours are through the Preserving the Recent Past website below.

Docomomo US members receive $50 off registration and you should have received a code via email. If not, please reach out to us at info@docomomo-us.org. 

Early registration ends January 31st!