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Welcome Aboard, Shannen Smiley!

Today we welcome Shannen Smiley (pronouns: she/her) as our new Research and Preservation Associate. Shannen has been an intern with Village Preservation since December of 2021, completing various research and programming projects along the way. She has collaborated with our full-time staff to conduct research for our Rock n’ Roll History tours and document historical building records to support our South of Union Square campaign.

Holding the role of Research and Preservation Associate, Shannen will continue her work in researching the history of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, and aims to utilize these projects to further the documented history of our neighborhoods. She will also participate in Village Preservation’s ongoing landmark designation and zoning protection campaigns.

Shannen originally hails from Phoenix, Arizona and upon completing her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Colorado, made her way to New York City in January of 2020. Since then, she’s begun her journey into the field of preservation, executing both personal and professional education in archiving, land use, and urban planning to supplement her growth in preservation work. She is passionate about the intersections of preservation, housing, and social justice, while also being a great admirer of historic architecture. 

Shannen in the west yard of St. Mark’s-in-the-Bowery church outside our offices in the church’s rectory, while she served as one of our interns.

While at the University of Colorado, Shannen completed an additional minor in Art and Architectural History, and a rigorous international program focused on traditional architectural history and research. Additionally, Shannen was a crucial collaborator in archiving thousands of historical artifacts at the Tenement Museum ahead of their 2022 Restabilization Project. 

Shannen is thrilled to officially join our full-time staff and continue her journey at Village Preservation, and we’re just as excited to have her on board. She plans to begin graduate school and complete a Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation with a focus on land use law and advocacy in 2023.

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