My first Historic Preservation Project was the old Marshall Field Warehouse on West Harrison Street in 1992. I was hired to photograph the building which was in danger of being torn down. I was asked if I could do the work to HABS standards. I said, “Sure”. When I got off the phone, I did some research on what HABS standards were. I learned that it was the Historic American Building Survey, currently housed at the Library of Congress.
Studies are done on buildings that are being changed or demolished. There are historical, architectural and engineering analyses as well as thorough photographic documentation. Exterior and interior large format black and white processed and printed to museum standards.
I also did some projects for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the Landmarks Commission for the city of Chicago and Landmarks Illinois.
I loved doing this kind of work and was always very excited whenever I was lucky enough to get a project.
Ron Gordon
March, 2024
