About the YUPs
Introducing the Young Urban Preservationists! We are a group of young-ish folks interested in preservation and community revitalization. We come from various walks of life and various professions, but we all have one thing in common: we care about our Rochester-area communities and we believe our historic resources have an important role to play in making our communities dynamic and distinctive.
Our mission
We are an emerging generation of preservationists in the greater Rochester region dedicated to promoting inclusive, modern, and innovative preservation practices to help revitalize communities and our built environment. And we have fun doing it!
Our vision
Our work in the greater Rochester region is a national model for young preservationist advocacy, education, and engagement.
Our Strategic Initiatives
Develop strategic partnerships
Become more diverse and inclusive
Be proactive and focus on our impact
Hold events that engage and educate
Make a difference in the world of preservation
We developed these initiatives in 2019 out of our Strategic Planning process. They serve as broad goals and guide our work in the Rochester area.
What we do
Events
We host fun events that connect people to historic places throughout western New York.
Education
Our popular classes and walking tours instill an appreciation for the region’s architecture and development history.
Advocacy
We partner with residents and community organizations to advocate for the reuse and rehabilitation of historic places.
Volunteer
We have lots of opportunities to contribute to our work saving places, including helping other organizations fix up old buildings. Join us!
Who we are
Steering Committee
Our Steering Committee carries out our Strategic Execution Plan and advances the mission of the YUPs. We meet monthly and meetings are open to the public. Join us sometime; it’s a great opportunity to learn what we’re all about.
Caitlin Meives | President
Scott Zorn | Vice President
Chris Brandt | Advocacy & Education Coordinator
Ted Messner | Events Coordinator
Sarah Murphy Abbamonte | Partnerships Liaison & Outreach Coordinator
Lindsay Nabozny | Secretary
Lia Schifitto | Communications Coordinator
About Preservation
Everyone is a preservationist. Whether you live in an older home, walk your dog in an Olmsted park, work in a downtown office building, or eat at a local restaurant in a historic neighborhood, you are practicing historic preservation. Preservation is all about investing in our existing communities and building stock--with the ultimate goal of revitalizing places so that they can better serve people.
We are an affiliate group of The Landmark Society of Western New York. The Landmark Society is one of the oldest and most active preservation organizations in America, serving nine Western New York counties. Formed in 1937, The Landmark Society continues to protect the unique architectural heritage of our region and promote preservation and planning principles that foster healthy and sustainable communities.
The YUPs are a member of the Rust Belt Coalition of Young Preservationists and travel to “takeovers” hosted by other young preservationists organizations in resurgent cities across the Rust Belt in order to share and celebrate preservation’s role in community revitalization.