Executive Director of Cincinnati Preservation
Beth has served the public since 2006. She started her career working in local historic preservation and planning offices in San Antonio, TX, Covington KY, Austin, TX, and Cincinnati, OH working with various design review boards and administering the local historic preservation regulatory framework. In 2022, Beth transitioned from local municipal preservation work to the local non-profit world and is currently the Executive Director of the Cincinnati Preservation, Greater Cincinnati’s Historic Preservation advocacy and education organization. Before the nonprofit world, Beth also had extensive work throughout her career in preservation education for higher education, professionals, government officials, and the public. Beth has also rehabbed 4 houses, most recently rehabbing and restoring the Benjamin Dombar House and Studio, and successfully listed it on the National Register of Historic Places. Johnson is a graduate of Ball State University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning with a dual major in history and a minor in historic preservation. She received her Master’s degree in historic preservation planning from Cornell University. Beth continues to advance the preservation and planning field through being a governor-appointed member of Ohio’s Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board and an Executive Committee member of Ball State University’s Planning Advisory Board.
One of the most common questions in preservation and design is: "What does compatible really mean?" Too often, compatibility is misunderstood as replication, leading to debates over whether new buildings should mimic historic architecture or stand apart as contemporary design. The reality is far more nuanced. Successful infill design requires understanding the character-defining features of a historic district, interpreting preservation guidelines, the community's preservation goals, and thoughtfully creating architecture that respects its surroundings while reflecting the time in which it is built. This presentation explores how architects, developers, planners, preservationists, and review boards can navigate the intersection of historic context and contemporary design. Through real-world case studies, participants will examine how scale, massing, rhythm, materials, and site relationships can create compatibility without resorting to imitation. The session will also focus on the importance of communicating design intent. Many projects encounter opposition not because of poor design, but because the thought process behind the design has not been effectively conveyed. Attendees will learn techniques for documenting and presenting design decisions, illustrating how a project responds to its historic context, and building public understanding through clear visual and narrative storytelling.
Historic preservation commissioners often get bogged down in the day-to-day administration of their local ordinance and forget that one of their key responsibilities is to be an effective spokesperson for historic preservation in their community. This topic helps participants identify and communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, whether it’s building support for designations, defending sometimes unpopular decisions, or working with reluctant elected officials. CAMP Trainers offer fun and creative suggestions for promoting historic preservation that have been proven to work during this session.