Speaking of Historic Preservation

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Charleston Library Society

Event Image Sizing for Web - Peg Breen - Sept 24

Speaking of Historic Preservation

As sister cities, both starting as young colonies on the East Coast, New York and Charleston have similar yet vastly different growth trajectories. While New York gave up architecture for ‘progress’, Charleston has been recognized as the birthplace of the historic preservation movement. Join Charleston Library Society Board member Bob Macdonald, Director Emeritus of the Museum of the City of New York, for a conversation with Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, on the challenges and successes across her thirty-two years and the contemporary preservation issues in safeguarding significant structures.

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About Peg Breen

Peg Breen is an internationally recognized leader in the field of historic preservation. Since January 1994, she has served as the President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy. Her dedication and vision have been instrumental in protecting New York City’s architectural heritage through a wide range of grants, technical, and advocacy programs. Throughout her distinguished career, Peg Breen has spearheaded several significant preservation efforts. She led the stabilization of the South Side of Ellis Island, ensuring its historical integrity for future generations. In the aftermath of 9/11, she was instrumental in saving the “Survivors Staircase,” which is now displayed at the 9/11 museum as a testament to resilience. Her work also includes preserving the Picasso Curtain from the former Four-Season Restaurant and facilitating its transfer to the New York Historical Society. Most recently, in January, she collaborated with actor Mark Ruffalo in efforts to save the landmark West Park Presbyterian Church in New York. Peg Breen’s advocacy helped create Moynihan Train Hall, an important component of Penn Station. Her expertise has been recognized internationally, with the United States State Department inviting her to Russia, Georgia, and Canada to share her knowledge in historic preservation. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was honored as one of New York’s most prominent private sector leaders. She received the Gold Medal for Distinguished Service from the New York Holland Society in 2023. She was honored with a medal from the Foreign Policy Association in 2025 for Cultural Diplomacy. City and State magazines twice listed her as one of the most influential women in New York. In addition to her work in New York, Peg Breen served on the board of Charleston’s International African American Museum. Peg Breen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in American Studies from New York University. Before her leadership role at the New York Landmarks Conservancy, she hosted the television program “Inside Albany” and served as Director of Communications for the New York City Council. These experiences laid the foundation for her impactful work in historic preservation.

About Bob Macdonald

Robert R. Macdonald is Director Emeritus of the Museum of the City of New York, past President of the American Association of Museums, and Vice Chair Emeritus of the South Carolina Aquarium. His career in museums spans sixty-one years, during which he held director positions in institutions in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Louisiana, and New York. He began his career in 1965 as a curator at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution and holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from the University of Notre Dame, as well as a graduate degree in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. He was named an Associate Fellow at Berkeley College, Yale University, and served as a Visiting Scholar at the College of Charleston. Among his many honors, Robert has been recognized as a Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Republic and received the Cruz de Caballero de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica from Spain. He was also honored with the Award of Distinction from the American Association of Museums. He has taught at prestigious institutions, including Yale University, Tulane University, and New York University, and has created exhibitions that have toured both nationally and internationally, sharing his expertise and vision with a wide audience. In addition to his directorial roles, Macdonald has served as a consultant to museums in the United States and abroad. Some of the institutions he has worked with include the Museum of Moscow, Musée Carnavalet, Museum of Seoul, Museum of the Isles in Scotland, Museum of San Francisco, Louisiana State Museum, and Charleston’s International African American Museum. Robert retired in 2002 and moved to Charleston with his wife, Cathy. They have three adult children and three grandchildren.