Through The Place
A feature-length documentary that highlights the history, achievements, and impact of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF), on Pittsburgh and on preservation in America, since the organization’s founding in Manchester on the North Side of Pittsburgh, in 1964.
“Pittsburgh was probably the first city in the country to go headlong, mistakenly, into the urban renewal mode, bulldozing so much of the fabric of its city as well as its economic heart. So it’s somewhat ironic that Pittsburgh also became the leader in the preservation movement through Arthur Ziegler and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.”
Urban Critic
Founded by a group of citizens who passionately believed that historic preservation, rather than massive demolition, could be a tool for renewing communities, creating pride among residents, and achieving sustainable economic development, PHLF is now recognized as one of the nation’s most innovative and effective nonprofit historic preservation organizations.
In THROUGH THE PLACE, you will see the context of how of PHLF started and learn about its work in saving and restoring important buildings in Pittsburgh neighborhoods and its Main Street business corridors. You will see the breadth of PHLF’s education and preservation programs, which enhance the organization’s advocacy for the preservation of historic buildings and structures in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and in America.
American Historian
Behind the Camera
In the making of THROUGH THE PLACE, we interviewed a cross-section of leaders of leaders in preservation, including architects, historians, urban and social critics, and leaders of major preservation, civic, and cultural organizations. Through it all, our story took us across three states, filming important landmarks and places, some of which are highlighted in the photo gallery.
Meet the Filmmakers
Karamagi Rujumba
Producer
Karamagi Rujumba is the director of communications and advocacy for the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. He coordinates all media and public affairs and represents PHLF on preservation issues at all levels of community and government engagement. He also manages and creates programming for the Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, where PHLF is involved in an expansive house restoration and preservation initiative.
A naturalized American, Karamagi was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in Uganda before moving to the United States. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where he studied English and Political Science, and also holds a Master of Science degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
He was a general assignment, government, and education reporter for both the Toledo (Ohio) Blade, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspapers before joining PHLF in October 2010.
Daniel Lovering
Director, videographer, and editor
Daniel Lovering is a journalist, photographer and documentary filmmaker based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is the founder and principal of Bagamor Media, which produces short documentaries and films for media organizations, nonprofits, educational institutions and businesses.
An experienced journalist, Daniel has reported from more than a dozen countries. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Economist and Foreign Policy, among other publications. He worked as a staff writer for The Associated Press in Asia and the United States, covering subjects ranging from business and politics to war and natural disasters, and has contributed to Reuters.
From 2005 through 2011, Daniel worked in Pittsburgh as a national business writer for the AP and freelance journalist. He wrote a seven-part series on entrepreneurship in the region for PittsburghTODAY, an initiative of the Regional Indicator program at the University of Pittsburgh’s University Center for Social and Urban Research.
A skilled narrative and visual storyteller, Daniel began his career in film and television production. He graduated from Oberlin College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and is the recipient of numerous journalism fellowships, including a 2014 Metcalf Institute Fellowship for Marine & Environmental Reporting and a 2012 Knight Luce Fellowship for Reporting on Global Religion.
Bring Through the Place to your Classroom
This documentary is both an advocacy and educational tool about the impact of historic preservation as a means of achieving social, cultural, and economic equity in the renewal of America’s historic neighborhoods and urban communities. PHLF is pleased to partner with community organizations, schools, and individuals interested in screening the film as an educational program.
Contact Us“Through the place, we renew the spirit of the people. Historic preservation can be the underlying basis of community renewal, human renewal, and economic renewal. Preservation is not some isolated cultural benefit.”
Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
Featured at:
Main Street Now Pittsburgh 2017
National Main Street Conference
May 1-3 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PastForward Houston 2016
The National Preservation Conference
Nov. 15-18, Houston, Texas
The Byham Theater
Oct. 25, 2016, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
New Urbanism Film Festival
Oct. 6-9, 2016, Los Angeles, California
Queen City Film Festival
Oct. 6-9, 2016, Cumberland, Maryland
The Frick Art & Historical Center
May 10, 2016, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania