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.
This session explores the cultural, architectural, and economic importance of historic signage and the critical role signs play in defining the identity of traditional commercial corridors. Through examples from Cincinnati and communities across the country, this session examines how historic signs function as visual landmarks, storytellers, and placemaking tools that connect people to neighborhood history and local business culture. Participants will learn how signs reflect community diversity, reinforce neighborhood character, and contribute to economic vitality through heritage branding and authentic sense of place. The session will also explore the threats posed by uniform corporate signage, evolving zoning regulations, and redevelopment pressures that can erode local identity. In addition to discussing why historic signs matter, the presentation provides practical preservation guidance grounded in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Attendees will gain an understanding of preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction approaches for historic signage, along with strategies for integrating sign preservation into local design guidelines, zoning policies, and revitalization efforts.
The American Sign Museum promotes sign preservation and restoration by displaying nearly 100 years of signage. The museum preserves and protects American history and pays homage to the artistry and craftsmanship of days gone by. The collection explores an often overlooked part of our culture that hides in plain sight as part of our daily lives. The recent expansion of the museum solidifies the American Sign Museum as the largest and most diverse public sign museum in the country. From sign and branding history to placemaking to a trip down memory lane, the bright lights of Americana is certain to resonate with a broad audience for years to come. TICKET REQUIRED. BUS TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FROM LOBBY.
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. This session has been approved for AIA HSW credit.
Demolition by neglect rarely happens overnight. It is often the result of years of deferred maintenance, missed warning signs, and delayed intervention. This session explores why historic buildings fall into neglect, how communities can recognize problems before they become emergencies, and the policies and tools available to respond. Participants will examine demolition by neglect ordinances, minimum maintenance standards, enforcement strategies, stabilization, and proactive approaches that can help communities protect vulnerable historic resources before preservation options disappear. This session has been approved for AIA LU credit.
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. This session has been approved for AIA LU credit.