How early architects leveraged the preservation of public buildings to assert their professional expertise

Although there might sometimes appear to be a gulf between architects and preservationists, the two fields have a shared history and have often worked in tandem to the mutual benefit of one another. A case in point can be found during the second half of the 19th century, as both the historic preservation movement and the professionalization of architectural practice were both gaining ground nationally in the United States. 

During this time, an ascendant professional architectural class—via the newly minted American Institute of Architects (AIA)—took up the cause of historic preservation in an effort to more fully assert the professional capacities of its members while helping to simultaneously preserve and expand a series of iconic buildings in the nation's capital, including the White House.

View of the White House as it looked after it was burned by invading British troops during the War of 1812. Image courtesy of The White House Historical Association.

White House History

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Antonio Pacheco via Archinect - News http://bit.ly/2O7Uj2M