For Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation
Michael Southern, whose career with the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) spanned five decades, has spent his entire professional life identifying, evaluating, and preserving historic resources in the service of his fellow North Carolinians.
Michael’s career with the SHPO began with an internship in 1974, following his graduation from UNC with a B.A. in Art History. Between 1978 and 1980, Michael served as the first SHPO representative in the Western Office of Archives and History. From there, he returned to Raleigh where he served at different times over the next 35 years as research historian, restoration specialist, head of the Survey and Planning Branch, Senior Architectural Historian, and, ultimately, as GIS Coordinator.
Michael has literally written the book – or, more accurately, books – on North Carolina architecture, co-authoring a three-volume landmark series which provides a broad readership with concise and approachable access to the state’s architectural heritage. Currently, Michael is completing a new publication, Civil War Witness: North Carolina Places Then and Now, which documents extant structures in the state that witnessed the movements of troops during the Civil War.
Early on, Michael embraced technology to help organize the reams of data gathered by the SHPO over time. In the early 1990s, Michael taught himself how to use relational database software, which he employed to track actions regarding North Carolina’s historic resources with a designation such as National Register listing or local landmark designation. Further developments overseen and implemented by Michael resulted in the survey database of more than 118,000 records that today is the digital backbone of the SHPO.
While the survey database was useful in collating this vast collection of information, Michael recognized the need for a comprehensive Geographic Information System solution to identifying historic sites in space and time. Without the resources to hire consultants, Michael – once more – proceeded to teach himself how to use GIS software and began mapping properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Once additional funds were identified, Michael was able to assemble a small team of two half-time temporary GIS specialists and one intern. Under Michael’s tutelage and guidance, the team built an internal, customized GIS system; and, in May 2011, launched a public-facing mapping website. Called HPOWEB, beneficiaries include federal and state agencies, local governments, historic preservation commissions, consultants, historians, and students of North Carolina history.
While launching HPOWEB, Michael simultaneously spearheaded the SHPO’s efforts to scan all of the nearly 3,000 National Register nominations to PDF format, providing the public the opportunity to easily discover, read, and consult these documents. Michael has also selflessly devoted a significant amount of time to sharing his love for and knowledge of North Carolina’s architectural heritage with students and community groups. He has provided countless presentations on North Carolina tobacco barns, the geographic growth of church denominations, and highly customized topics of interest to a specific audience. Early in the new millennium, he served on the Design Review Committee of the Raleigh Historic Districts Commission (now the Raleigh Historic Development Commission).
Michael Southern combines a Renaissance man’s depth and breadth of knowledge with constant cheerfulness, technological proficiency, and a deep-seated desire to serve North Carolina’s preservation constituency. Capital Area Preservation joins preservationists across our state in being forever indebted to Michael for his work, making the historic resources of North Carolina and of Wake County historic resources accessible by all.
The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation, Inc. is pleased to present a 2018 Anthemion Award to Michael T. Southern for Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation.