Beth Sholom Synagogue, in suburban Philadelphia, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1954—the only synagogue he built. It remains home to the active congregation that commissioned it, but well into its seventh decade of service, the building has significant preservation needs. In this online program hosted by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, attendees will learn about the building’s history and design, and explore preservation across a range of scales, from long-term planning for major projects to the specifics of a recent furniture restoration project.

Speakers
Emily T. Cooperman, M.S., Ph.D. is an architectural and landscape historian and historic preservation and cultural resource management consultant based in Philadelphia. Dr. Cooperman is the author of a group of National Historic Landmarks applications for modernist monuments, beginning with Beth Sholom Synagogue, and including the Richards/Goddard Buildings at the University of Pennsylvania by Louis I. Kahn and the General Motors Technical Center by Eero Saarinen (with Preservation Design Partnership). She has worked with Beth Sholom on preservation projects since 2006.

Brian Boland apprenticed as a classically trained woodworker for four years, mentored by RA Fellwock. His training included reproducing original pieces from Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, City Tavern and other historical places. He also did work for Winterthur and Williamsburg. He opened his own shop for restoration work and reproduction furniture employing a half dozen artisans in the Germantown area of Philadelphia for 45 years. He has restored numerous pieces of Esherick, Nakashima, Furness, along with custom built furniture in the “Gladwyne Revival” style.

Herb Sachs is the founder and current president of the Beth Sholom Synagogue Preservation Foundation. Herb has also served as president of the Beth Sholom Congregation. It was during his term of office in 2003 that plans were made to apply for National Historic Landmark status as well as to create a Visitor Center. Herb and his late brother Keith were the founders of Saxco International, a national distribution company specializing in the sale of rigid packaging materials. Herb is retired and lives in Rydal, Pennsylvania, with his wife Alice.

Thursday, February 20, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
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