Welcome to the New Jersey History and Historic Preservation Conference

Featured Speakers

Amy Bruni

Amy Bruni is a renowned paranormal investigator, author, podcaster, entrepreneur, and television personality. Her fascination with the supernatural began in childhood, growing up in a haunted house where her family embraced their spirited cohabitants.  

In 2007, Amy’s expertise led her to join the cast of SyFy’s Ghost Hunters. In 2016, she branched off to create, produce, and star in ‘Kindred Spirits.’ The show, which airs on Travel Channel, has gone on to become one of the network’s longest-running and highest-rated paranormal series. In addition to her TV work, Bruni has authored two books: ‘Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned About Ghosts’ and the bestselling cookbook, ‘Food to Die For: Recipes & Stories from America’s Most Legendary Haunted Places.’ Her podcast, ‘Haunted Road,’ is considered one of the top paranormal podcasts, having been downloaded over ten million times. Her boutique travel company, Strange Escapes, takes adventure seekers on spooky retreats to some of the most haunted places in the world. 

 When Amy isn’t chasing down spirits, you can find her living her best New England life in Newport, RI, with her longtime partner Jimmy and their daughter Charlotte—plus their two cats, Harry and Fern. 

Elizabeth (Liz) Waytkus

Liz Waytkus is a preservationist specializing in advocacy and education of historic architecture and design of the 20th century. She is the first Executive Director of Docomomo US, the nation’s foremost organization dedicated to the preservation of Modern architecture. She oversees Docomomo US’ vast network of chapters, members and colleagues and is responsible for the development of new programming including the Docomomo US National Symposium, the Modernism in America Awards and Docomomo educational travel tours. She is a leading voice in threatened Modern sites and spear-headed efforts to landmark the Ambassador Grill, the AT&T Building and the former Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. She is known for her work to save the Marcel Breuer designed Geller House and her call to make it the Penn Station moment for Modern homes. She received her Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Pratt Institute and resides in New York City. 

Speakers

David Abramson

David V. Abramson, AIA, APT is a principal at CTS Group Architecture/Planning PA in Chatham, NJ. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois and a […]

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Kathleen Bennett

Kathleen M. Bennett is the Chairperson of the Montclair Historic Preservation Commission. She holds a BA in Fine Arts Education and an MA in Decorative Art History from the Cooper/Hewitt, […]

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Jennifer Boggs

Jennifer has been with the NJ Historic Trust since 2023 as a Historic Preservation Specialist. She has much experience in the fields of archaeology, architectural conservation, cultural resource management, and […]

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Douglas Booton

Douglas Booton, is an accomplished producer, creative strategist, and cultural preservationist. As a key figure at Setaro House, Douglas collaborates on innovative projects that blend history and technology, such as […]

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Shannon Bremer

Shannon Bremer is a Historic Preservation Specialist for the New Jersey Historic Trust. She has overseen numerous grant-funded, preservation projects ranging from preservation plans and construction documents to ADA accessibility […]

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Michiel Brouns 

Michiel Brouns was born in the Netherlands, where he worked as a surveyor of historic buildings. He moved to the UK in 2016 and started Histoglass Ltd, a company specializing […]

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Amy Bruni

Amy Bruni is a renowned paranormal investigator, author, podcaster, entrepreneur, and television personality. Her fascination with the supernatural began in childhood, growing up in a haunted house where her family […]

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Lynne Calamia

Lynne Calamia is a leader in the field of Public History with more than a decade of broad, hands-on experience. She is committed to building strong, sustainable organizations and uses […]

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Ronnie Cameron Jr.

Ronnie Cameron, Jr., Senior Architectural Designer at Historic Building Architects, LLC, has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Drexel University. At HBA, he prepares drawings, renders and other construction documents. […]

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Frank Caruso

Frank F. Caruso has served on the Burlington City Historic Preservation Commission since 2016 as and has held the position of Chair since 2023. Mr. Caruso is a local product […]

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Olivia Chaudhury

Olivia VF Chaudhury was born in New York and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She earned a B.S. Urban and Regional Studies and an M.A. Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University. […]

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Kinney Clark

Kinney Clark is a GIS Specialist with the NJ State Historic Preservation Office coordinating cultural resources GIS development and other information management initiatives. He also participates in HPO’s annual federal […]

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Thomas Connolly

Thomas B. Connolly, R.A., AIA, is the Principal Architect for Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects, located in Cranford, NJ. Tom has a Bachelor of Architecture from the New Jersey Institute […]

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Sara Cureton

Sara Cureton joined the staff of the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) in 2004 and now serves as its executive director. She oversees funding programs totaling $5.5 million that support […]

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Amy Curry

Amy Curry is the Executive Director of the Morris County Historical Society (MCHS), a nonprofit organization that owns and operates Acorn Hall. Amy has guided the vision for MCHS since […]

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Rhonda DiMascio

Rhonda DiMascio is the newly appointed Executive Director of Morven Museum and Garden. Most recently, DiMascio has served as Executive Director of Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, the […]

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Molly Dykstra

The Rev. Molly Dykstra is the founding staff member of 120 East State. As Project Leader, Molly has been executing all aspects of the organization’s mission to preserve, steward and […]

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Alison Eberhardt

Alison Eberhardt, Preservation Architectural Associate at Historic Building Architects, LLC, (Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs) has a Bachelors degree in Architecture and a Master of Science degree in Historic Preservation from Thomas Jefferson […]

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Linda Epps

Linda J. Caldwell Epps is President and CEO of 1804 Consultants, a consulting firm dedicated to the advancement of educational and cultural organizations. Linda has more than 40 years of […]

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Janet Foster

Janet W. Foster is an architectural historian and historic preservation consultant with over 30 years of experience. She studied at the Columbia University Historic Preservation Program, and founded Acroterion, a […]

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Lisa Fox Pfeiffer

Lisa Fox Pfeiffer, is the Executive Director of the Burlington County Historical Society. During her tenure, she has been deeply involved with the development of the organization’s Children’s History Center, a family-friendly […]

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Amanda Gold

Amanda Gold, AIA, NCARB, is a historic preservation architect with Preservation Design Partnership with over 24 years of experience in preservation planning, architectural design, and construction administration for historic restoration […]

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Rachael Goldberg

Rachael Goldberg is the Executive Director of Liberty Hall Museum, Gardens, and Arboretum. Rachael’s career in museums began at Liberty Hall in 2008. She was originally hired as a museum […]

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Donna Ann Harris

Donna Ann Harris is the principal of Heritage Consulting Inc., a Philadelphia-based consulting firm that works nationwide in three practice areas: downtown and commercial district revitalization, historic preservation, and nonprofit […]

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Patrick Harshbarger

Patrick Harshbarger is Vice President at Hunter Research, Inc., a Trenton-based cultural resources management firm. He currently oversees the firm’s work in historical research, historic architectural survey, interpretive and preservation […]

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Bonney Hartley

Bonney Hartley is a member of the Stockbridge Munsee Mohican Nation and for ten years has served the historic preservation interests of the Tribe from an extension office in Williamstown, […]

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John Hebble

John Hebble serves as the Resource Interpretive Specialist at Wharton State Forest, where he is responsible for the historic interpretation of Batsto Village Historic Site, Atsion Mansion Historic Site, and […]

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Margaret Hickey

Margaret M. Hickey, AIA serves as the Historic Preservation Specialist for Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects, an architectural and preservation firm concentrating on the restoration and rehabilitation of historic resources […]

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Stephanie Hoagland

Stephanie M. Hoagland is a Principal and Senior Architectural Conservator with Jablonski Building Conservation Inc. in New York City where she has been employed since 2003. She has been extensively […]

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Sean Holland

Sean is an Access Nature and Disability Advocate. He graduated with a B.A. in American History & Political Science from Rutgers University. Since 2014 he’s worked for the New Jersey […]

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Eric Holtermann

Eric Holtermann, AIA is a Principal at HMR Architects in Princeton, NJ. He has worked on both new and historic projects throughout his career, with a particular interest in the […]

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Bobbi Hornbeck

Bobbi Hornbeck is an Assistant Professor of Archaeology at Stockton University. She also serves as the Vice President of the Cape May County Historical & Genealogical Society (CMCHGS), managing stewardship […]

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Sophia Hudzik

Sophia Hudzik is an interdisciplinary research specialist with applied experience in anthropology, public history, and archaeological research methods. She currently serves as Project Manager for the RevolutionNJ initiative, helping historic […]

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Anne Jennings

Anne Jennings is an architectural historian/cultural resource specialist who, spurred on by her love of old buildings and structures, received her master’s degree in Historic Preservation from the University of […]

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Enna Kathrecha-Shah

Enna Kathrecha-Shah is an Architectural Conservator & Preservation Designer. Enna is trained in conservation science, museum studies and art history. She has professional experience working in art conservation. At HBA, she […]

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Kathy Kelly

Kathy Kelly is the curator and historian of The Paranormal Museum in Asbury Park, NJ, where she captivates visitors with her deep knowledge of the supernatural and engaging storytelling. She […]

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Erhard Koehler

Erhard Koehler is a 1987 graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College, with a BE degree in Naval Architecture. After 3-½ years as a structural and field-support […]

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Gregory Lattanzi

Gregory Lattanzi, Ph.D. is Curator/State Archaeologist for the Bureau of Archaeology & Ethnography at the New Jersey State Museum. Dr. Lattanzi was previously employed at several contract archaeological firms in […]

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James S. Lee

James Lee has over 26 years’ experience in cultural resource management. He has directed background research and fieldwork activities, overseen laboratory operations, contributed to and authored hundreds of technical reports, […]

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Jennifer B. Leynes

Jennifer B. Leynes is a Program Specialist 3 with the NJ Historic Preservation Office. Her responsibilities include project review under state and federal preservation regulations, as well as the review […]

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Marc Lorenc

Marc Lorenc, Ph.D. is the Chief Public Historian at the New Jersey Historical Commission overseeing multiple aspects of RevolutionNJ, New Jersey’s official commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding […]

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Meghan MacWillliams Baratta

Meghan MacWillliams Baratta, is a Supervising Historic Preservation Specialist, Program Specialist 4 with the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (HPO). Meghan has worked in a professional position at the HPO […]

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Kate Marcopul

Kate Marcopul is currently the NJ Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer and the Manager of the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (NJHPO) which is responsible for the identification, protection, and […]

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Adam Perle

As President & CEO, Adam Perle manages all ArtPride operations. He leads the senior management team and is responsible for resource development, as well as fiduciary oversight. Prior to joining […]

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Allison Pierson

Allison Pierson has been the executive director of Whitesbog Preservation Trust since 2015. The Trust is the caretaker for the 3,000 acre farm site of 25 buildings and an active […]

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Katherine Quigley

The curator at Liberty Hall Museum, Katherine has a strong background in both historical research and interpretation for public audiences. A recent graduate of New York University’s Archives and Public […]

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Annabelle Radcliffe-Trenner 

Annabelle Radcliffe-Trenner AIA, FAPT RIBA founded Historic Building Architects, LLC, Trenton, NJ, an award-winning firm specializing in historic public buildings, in 1994. She was trained as a preservation architect in […]

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Dawn Reichard

Dawn Reichard graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and worked as a graphic artist in the printing industry. After purchasing a home in 1997, Dawn discovered that it was […]

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Gina Rosseland

Gina Rosseland is the Assistant Administrator of the Warren County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at Historic Shippen Manor. Ms. Rosseland works with the Bicentennial Cultural & Heritage Advisory […]

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Kelly Ruffel

Kelly C. Ruffel, is the Director of the Department of Cultural & Historic Affairs for the County of Passaic and serves as the Assistant County Administrator. In her role, she […]

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Susan Ryan

Susan Ryan is a licensed architect in the State of New Jersey. She received her B. Architecture from Kent State University and a M.S. Historic Preservation from Columbia University. Susan […]

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Anthony Jude Setaro

Anthony Jude Setaro, is a visionary historian, producer, and community advocate with deep roots in the cultural fabric of Monmouth County. Anthony is known for his dedication to preserving and […]

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Janet Sozio

Janet Sozio, a Mouth Holly attorney, has been a member of the Historic Burlington County Prison Museum Association since 1981 and president of the organization for about 20 years.  She […]

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Mark Texel

Mark has worked professionally in historic sites, living history/outdoor museums, and public parks since 1988. He holds B.A.’s in American History and American Music, and a Certificate in Historic Preservation […]

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Rachel Thimke

Rachel Thimke is the Programs & Communications Manager for the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State. In her role, she oversees annual […]

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Andrea Tingey

Andrea Tingey is a Program Specialist 3 with the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office. Her current responsibilities include coordinating the New Jersey / National Register Program and the Certified […]

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Elizabeth (Liz) Waytkus

Liz Waytkus is a preservationist specializing in advocacy and education of historic architecture and design of the 20th century. She is the first Executive Director of Docomomo US, the nation’s […]

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Jesse West-Rosenthal

Jesse West-Rosenthal, Ph.D. is a Program Specialist with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Dr. West-Rosenthal is a seasoned archaeologist with nearly […]

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Meris Westberg

Meris Westberg is an architectural conservator and historic building materials specialist living and working in New York City. She spent her early career working in paper conservation at the National […]

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Guy Weston

Guy’s current work encompasses research and public history initiatives to raise the profile of Timbuctoo, NJ, where his 4th great grandfather purchased land in 1829. These have included interpretive signage […]

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Patricia Wilson Aden

Patricia Wilson Aden brings over three decades of experience as a senior executive in non-profit management to her position as President & CEO of The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, an […]

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