New York by the Book: Servant of Beauty

Hear from Anthony C. Wood as he explores his latest book, Servant of Beauty: Landmarks, Secret Love, and the Unimagined Life of an Unsung New York Hero. The book chronicles the extraordinary life of Albert Bard, a tireless preservationist and attorney whose legal and civic efforts helped shape New York City’s approach to historic preservation. Bard’s fierce dedication to protecting the city’s architectural legacy often put him at odds with influential figures like Robert Moses. His work was instrumental in the passage of the New York City Landmarks Law in 1965, which now safeguards over 37,000 buildings and continues to inspire preservation efforts nationwide. The conversation will be moderated by Emily Kahn, Executive Director of the New York Preservation Archive Project. 

About the Speaker: 

Anthony C. Wood is a preservationist, historian, and grant maker. Over a career spanning more than forty years, he has worked at the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Municipal Art Society, The J.M. Kaplan Fund, and is currently Executive Director of the Ittleson Foundation. Wood is the founder and Chair Emeritus of the New York Preservation Archive Project; a past Chair of the Preservation League of New York State and Partners for Sacred Places; and has been an Advisor and Trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Currently Chair Emeritus of the Historic Districts Council, Anthony Wood serves on the board of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust in Charleston, South Carolina and for more than twenty-years was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation at Columbia University.  

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at our museum shop for signing during the event. Preorder your book here.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.