To look forward, sometimes you have to look back.

We begin the first in our series of conversations on “Scenic Roots” about historic preservation in Chattanooga, in collaboration with the nonprofit Preserve Chattanooga - formerly known as Cornerstones.

Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga.

Melissa Mortimer is historic preservation planner for the City of Chattanooga.

(Aired Mon 4/07/25)

For fifty years, what is known today as Preserve Chattanooga has protected the architectural heritage of this city.

The only nonprofit of its kind in Chattanooga - founded as Landmarks Chattanooga and known for many years as Cornerstones - has made a difference through preservation, education and advocacy.

Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga.

(Aired Tues 1/14/25)

During this new year of 2025, Preserve Chattanooga - the nonprofit for historic preservation in this city - turns fifty.

It’s a time to reflect, a time to celebrate - and a time to look forward.

Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga.

This past fall, Bea Lurie joined the nonprofit as its first development director.

The City of Chattanooga adopted an ordinance in the 1990’s that allows the designation of buildings as Local Historic Landmarks.

Buildings that receive the designation - similar to Local Historic Districts, such as St. Elmo to Fort Wood - would receive oversight from the Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission.

However, since the ordinance was adopted years ago, only one structure has ever been designated a Local Historic Landmark: the Shavin Residence, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Should more landmarks be considered for that designation to try to protect the City’s architectural heritage?

We’ll explore what the designation means, what buildings might qualify and why such designations are needed in this second part of our fall conversation series with Preserve Chattanooga, the historic preservation nonprofit in this city.

Todd Morgan is the executive director of Preserve Chattanooga - and Rachel Shannon is a board member.

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Our thanks to Todd Morgan of Preserve Chattanooga for partnering with us on this series.

Stay tuned for more here on “Scenic Roots.”

On Saturday, October 7th, Preserve Chattanooga hosts “Wine Over Water” at the Hunter Museum of American Art.

Details at preservechattanooga.com.

Let’s talk about the legacy of architecture here in Chattanooga.

This conversation is the latest in our series of conversations on historic preservation in this city, in collaboration with Preserve Chattanooga - the historic preservation nonprofit formerly known as Cornerstones.

Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga - and Rachel Shannon is a board member.

Stay tuned for the rest of our conversations with Preserve Chattanooga in the coming weeks here on “Scenic Roots.”

Every day, historic preservation is happening in many ways here in Chattanooga.

What is that experience from a regulatory perspective - as a preservation-oriented developer - an advocate for historic sites - or just involved with personal projects?

We’ll dive into all of that for the latest in our conversation series in collaboration with Preserve Chattanooga, the historic preservation nonprofit in this city.

Todd Morgan is the executive director of Preserve Chattanooga.

Melissa Mortimer is historic preservation planner for the City of Chattanooga.

Leanne Kinney is a member of the Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission.

Melissa and Leanne are also board members of Preserve Chattanooga.
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Stay tuned for the rest of our conversations with Preserve Chattanooga here on Scenic Roots.

Our campus - the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - offers a Minor in Historic Preservation through its Interior Architecture and Design Program.

Students in the program base their senior thesis projects on an actual historic building here in Chattanooga that needs a new life.

Preserve Chattanooga, the historic nonprofit in this city, partners with UTC to offer teaching fellowships for the program, guide the senior thesis experience and gives awards to students for exemplary work.

We talk about it for the third and final part of this fall’s conversation series with Preserve Chattanooga.

Todd Morgan is the nonprofit’s executive director.

Dana Moody, Professor of Interior Architecture here at UTC, is the coordinator of the Minor in Historic Preservation.

What do students think about their learning experience in historic preservation here at UTC?

John Wallace is a senior on our campus.

This spring, KiAna Clark was the second to graduate with the Minor in Historic Preservation - and now, she is with Johnson Architecture in Knoxville.
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More about the Minor in Historic Preservation here at UTC at utc.edu.

Our thanks to Todd Morgan of Preserve Chattanooga for partnering with us on this conversation series on “Scenic Roots.”

On Saturday, October 7th, Preserve Chattanooga hosts “Wine Over Water” at the Hunter Museum of American Art.

Details at preservechattanooga.com.

Orchard Knob and Ridgedale are two of the most historic neighborhoods here in Chattanooga.

We’ll talk about the history of those communities - and today’s grassroots preservation there - in this first part of our fall conversation series with Preserve Chattanooga, the historic preservation nonprofit in this city.

Linda Carter is president of the Orchard Knob Neighborhood Association.

Christina Sacco is president of the Ridgedale Community Association.

Eric Myers is executive director of Chattanooga Design Studio.

Our thanks to Todd Morgan of Preserve Chattanooga for partnering with us on this series.

Stay tuned for more conversations here on “Scenic Roots.”

On Saturday, October 7th, Preserve Chattanooga hosts “Wine Over Water” at the Hunter Museum of American Art.

Details at preservechattanooga.com.

This month, Preserve Chattanooga - the historic preservation nonprofit in this city - sold its portion of the Terminal Station complex on Market Street.

The sale to Northpond Partners also protects both the complex’s interior dome and its exterior facade from demolition or “inappropriate architectural changes.”

Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga.

Perhaps the most iconic building - along with its sign - in this city, the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex has evolved over time from a gateway to the world to a hotel and entertainment center.

As the Choo Choo complex evolves once again, let’s look back as we prepare for all aboard into the future - in our latest conversation in collaboration with Preserve Chattanooga, the historic preservation nonprofit in this city.

Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattnaooga.

Justin Strickland - who works for the City of Chattanooga - is a board member of the Chattanooga Historical Society, and the author of the book “Chattanooga’s Terminal Station.”
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Stay tuned for the conclusion of our conversation series with Preserve Chattanooga here on Scenic Roots.

Historic places endure because of the people who save and maintain them for future generations.

A half century ago, passenger rail traffic for Chattanooga was in decline.

Union Station was demolished, while Terminal Station survived as the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel.

“People Saving Places” is this year’s theme for National Preservation Month across the country.

Todd Morgan is executive director of Preserve Chattanooga, the historic preservation nonprofit in this city.

Our guests: Todd Morgan, director of Preserve Chattanooga – and Dan Reuter, City Planning Administrator and Executive Director of the Regional Plan Association, funded by the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County with additional funding from other jurisdictions.

Here in Chattanooga, the historic River-to-Ridge Area – generally bounded by Missionary Ridge and the Tennessee River – represents 17 diverse urban neighborhoods with a distinct history.

These were the first streetcar neighborhoods in Chattanooga – and many served as the birthplace for early African-American settlements in this city.

Today, some of these neighborhoods are experiencing a resurgence – as new residents and families from all walks of life “move back to the city” to enjoy the unique historic character and conveniences of this area.

Two years ago, the Historic River-to-Ridge Area Plan was officially adopted – meant as a guide and a resource for the many stakeholders whose decisions ultimately set the direction for this area.

We focus on the plan for our final conversation in our series with Preserve Chattanooga, the historic preservation nonprofit in this city.