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End of an
Era: Bahlman Retires
By Rolf Achilles, chairman,
Landmarks Illinois
After almost ten years as Landmarks Illinois’ president,
David Bahlman is retiring. “I’m very pleased to have had
the opportunity to work for an organization in a state
that contains unparalleled milestones in the development
of American architecture,” noted Bahlman.
During his tenure with the organization, Bahlman has
earned a reputation as an articulate public advocate for
historic preservation issues while developing a strong
internal structure for the organization. He has forged
partnerships with government officials, the real estate
community, and a wide range of civic groups. He also has
worked with the Board of Directors and the staff to
dramatically increase financial, member, and public
support. His decade of eloquence, charm, perception,
wit, and attention to detail have marked him as a leader
whose vision prodded Landmarks Illinois into new
dimensions of preservation and community activism.
Among the organization’s many accomplishments during his
tenure: saving the former Cook County Hospital from
demolition; the successful campaign to purchase the
threatened Farnsworth House; creation of the
high-profile Legendary Landmarks Gala; inception of a
Heritage Grant Program; creation of the Chicagoland
Watch List, a spin-off of our “Ten Most” list;
establishment of the monthly Preservation Snapshots
Lecture; formation of the Louis Sullivan Society;
construction of the first Landmarks.org web site;
initiation of the state Preservation Caucus; and
launching of a Recent Past Initiative to focus attention
on preservation of architecture of the mid-20th century.
Born in Indiana and educated in Ohio, he received a M.A.
in Art History at Ohio State University. Prior to
joining Landmarks Illinois in 1999, Bahlman was an
executive at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and
the New York Philharmonic (1981-1984), executive
director of the Society of Architectural Historians,
Philadelphia, (1984-1993), and executive director of the
Foundation for San Francisco’s Architectural Heritage
(1993-1998).
Bahlman, 63, is moving to Suffield, Connecticut, where
he has bought a 1789 Federal-style house. A large
portion of the community is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The selection process for a
new president is underway.
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