Why Relevancy Is Key To Historic Preservation's Future

By Ray Bassett

Published June 1, 2026 at 10:02 PM EDT

(Aired Thu 5/28/26)

The process now under way to develop a new community plan for historic preservation here in Chattanooga aims to build upon while also refresh the first plan in 1977.

When Preserve Chattanooga launched the process at its “Perspectives” event at Waterhouse Pavilion at the end of April, the guest speaker was Bonnie McDonald.

She is the president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, her state’s leading voice for historic preservation - and she talked about why historic preservation needs to be relevant for a community today and for its future.

I spoke with Bonnie, along with Todd Morgan of Preserve Chattanooga, about “The Relevancy Project” and “The Relevancy Guidebook.”

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