Lecture Series Returns!!

The popular SARPA Lecture Series returns this spring, thanks to generous hosting by the University Club of Saint Paul and contributions from David Heide Design.

All lectures are free and open to anyone (not just SARPA members, but why not join anyway!) All lectures begin at 6pm at the University Club of Saint Paul and last roughly an hour, so plenty of time to go out and discuss what you learned at some of our fabulous local restaurants afterwards.

Monday, April 9
Buying and Selling on Summit
With Edina Realty experts: Kevin O'Brien, James Keane, and Charlie Niemeyer

As if real estate transactions weren't complicated enough, buying or selling a home on Summit adds a whole new layer of complexity. If you are buying — how do you find the best place? What should you keep in mind? What are some of the hidden costs? Are home values really that much higher? If you are selling — how do you find the right buyer who will love the home as much as you have? How do you convey both the pros and cons of owning a historic home? And how bad is the market, really, anyway?

Our panel has almost half a century of experience between them, specializing in historic homes in Saint Paul. If they don't know the answer, it's not an issue — let them allay your fears and answer your questions.

Monday, April 30 –
Once There Were Castles with Larry Millett

The first in-depth look at the history of the Twin Cities’ mansions, Once There Were Castles presents ninety lost mansions and estates, organized by neighborhood and illustrated with photographs and drawings. An absorbing read for Twin Cities residents and a crucial addition to the body of work on the region’s history, Once There Were Castles brings these “ghost mansions” back to life.

Larry Millett has found more ghosts. In Once There Were Castles, the historian and author of Lost Twin Cities digs up images and stories that paint a picture of 90 long-gone buildings. The photographs of their unabashed luxury are stunning; the stories of their demise, laden with hubris, are irresistible. Minnesota Monthly

Monday, May 14
Solar Power in Historic Homes
With Rebecca Lundberg of Powerfully Green

Rebecca Lundberg designs and installs solar energy systems as president and CEO of Powerfully Green. She has a Master’s Degree in Education, a Minnesota Residential Building Contractor’s license, and is a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Solar PV installer.

Rebecca serves as a Board Member for the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, and currently serves as Convenor of Solar Minnesota. She is passionate about sustainable living, and lectures about conservation
and renewable energy at every opportunity.

This workshop will focus on solar installations for urban areas, and will include some basic information about how solar works, many examples and photos of projects that meet city and historic district goals for neighborhoods, and details on currently available incentives.