NY preservationist Tolbert to lead Historic Districts Council

Frampton Tolbert, a New York City-based preservationist and nonprofit management leader who is currently serving as the deputy director of the Gowanus-based Center for Urban Pedagogy, has been selected as the new executive director of the Historic Districts Council (HDC).

The HDC serves as an advocate for the city’s historic buildings, neighborhoods and public spaces. It helps residents obtain Landmark-district status for eligible historic neighborhoods, helps to promote historic districts, and holds conferences on preservation-related topics.

Tolbert, who is identified on several websites as a Brooklyn resident, also worked for the Brooklyn Museum, managing that institution’s fundraising campaign. He previously served as HDC’s deputy director from 2005 to 2014. On April 11, he will return to lead the HDC, bringing with him an extensive experience in historic preservation advocacy and community outreach, fundraising and communications.

Tolbert said, “I am thrilled to return to HDC to lead the organization forward as I strongly believe that preservation is crucial to the future success of New York. I will be an advocate for all communities, working with a diverse coalition of stakeholders to preserve our irreplaceable architectural, historical, and cultural heritage in an equitable and sustainable way.”

Regarding the hiring of Tolbert, HDC’s Board President Alison Greenberg said, “The Historic Districts Council is elated that after a very competitive search process, Frampton Tolbert will join HDC as executive director. He is eminently qualified, prepared and energized to lead HDC during an exciting and important time for preservation in New York City.”

At the Center for Urban Pedagogy, described as “an award-winning non-profit organization that collaborates with community groups, designers, artists, educators, students and policymakers to create education and advocacy tools,” Tolbert served as chief operating officer. He led development strategy, supervised communication strategies, and managed most of the organization’s administrative and financial tasks.

Previously, at the Brooklyn Museum between 2003 and 2005, Tolbert managed a variety of projects as part of a $130 million fundraising campaign, handled solicitation and follow-up, researched prospective donors, and organized events that cultivated potential campaign donors.

Tolbert graduated with a BA in Historic Preservation from the University of Mary Washington. He is also a past president of the Victorian Society of New York, which is dedicated to preserving the city’s 19th century heritage, and is the secretary for the Tri-State Chapter of DOCOMOMO-US, an organization dedicated to conserving buildings, sites and neighborhoods related to modern architecture.

Vice President of the HDC Board Chris Cirillo said, “Our city is grappling with continued population growth and development pressures, an affordability crisis, sustainability and climate change imperatives, and a reckoning with our history of racism and segregation. As the leading advocate for New York City’s historic neighborhoods, HDC must shape the debate about how we address these issues while protecting what New Yorkers cherish most about our city. I can think of no one better to lead HDC at this critical juncture than Frampton Tolbert.”