As a passionate preservationist, Irvin Henderson made the business of saving historic structures, and preserving communities, his life’s work. For those of us fortunate enough to have known him, he was a teacher, mentor, historian and a quiet force to be reckoned with when championing a project he believed in. We felt better when he was on our team. You knew that “things were going to be alright” when he walked into a room. But he spoke, we all knew that the knowledge he was going to share was going to be just what was needed to get the job done.
As the owner of Sojourn Heritage, a Hospitality brand focused on African American History and culture, I knew I could count on Irvin. He was always available to help me save historic structures. We worked to prevent those that were once part of the “Green Book” from being torn down. Additionally, he gave us the tools necessary to start the process for preservation. Not just how to get things on the National list of Historic Places, but what to do once the designation was awarded, and how to use the award to restore the property. With patience and kindness, he always took my phone calls. He met with members of historical boards and individuals across various communities who needed guidance on exactly how to get things done. Even when he would fuss at me about the calls for the “last minute saves” as he called them, when a property was at risk of demolition, I knew that he was going to help me. I knew his passion for the history was always greater than his frustration with my timing. Never once, did he let me, or the others who were on the call, down. With his presence needed on so many city, state and national projects, he still took the calls from individuals to help us do our part.
Irvin was a founding board member of Mainstreet America. I remember one day, during one of their quarterly conferences, I finally had the opportunity to host him at my hotel. Irvin Henderson was coming to the Dunns-Josephine in Miami, a historic site that celebrates the Harlem Renaissance and Miami’s Jim Crow history in Historic Overtown. As his student, I was so delighted to be able to show him the work that he contributed to! With a warm smile and his big hug, he let me know that he was proud of me and for that, I will always be grateful.
As Vice chair of NCRC board, Irvin worked with countless communities on preservation projects. So many people have shared stories of his contributions and the millions of dollars he helped secure to ensure those projects were completed…