by Alexandra Dunn
The Pace Law Li
brary announces its acceptance of the papers of Dorothy Miner and the creation of the Dorothy Miner Historic Preservation Archive. The Law Library will create an archive of Ms Miner’s papers and related items. Dorothy Miner was a legal innovator who developed legal protection for historic landmarks nationwide. She served as legal counsel to the New York City Landmarks Commission. Through her litigation and advocacy she created many of the statutory and case law precedent that offered protection to historic buildings, including Penn Central Transportation Co. v. New York City, 438 U.S. 104 (1978) . Her model was copied elsewhere by a preservation movement that has protected much of our history from destruction. Her activities include work on Grand Central Station, St. Bartholomew’s Church, the African Burial Ground, among many other sites. Ms Miner taught at Pace Law School as an adjunct professor of law. We are grateful that her papers now provide a place for lawyers interested in preservation — and using local, state, and federal law to assist — to study and learn.