This section of Preservation Seattle is dedicated to stories and opinion pieces by or about young people engaged in historic preservation issues in our city. We hope that this inaugural edition of Historic Seattle's online magazine will help us solicit stories from local parents, schools, classrooms, and organizations with preservation programs directed toward youth. We want to hear from you. E-mail us with your ideas.

One such program, in place since 1995, is the Seattle Architectural Foundation's CityWalks for Kids. This highly successful tour and curriculum program connects elementary school students with the spaces in which they live, learn, and play. The program teaches elementary school children how to read the historic built environment. CityWalk demonstrates how lessons learned in other class work, in subjects such as math, science, social studies, and art all come together in historic buildings and urban forms.

The program has generated rave reviews from past participating teachers. The following are excerpts from an evaluation of a CityWalk tour and curriculum pack for Enumclaw students (from CityWalks for Kids Final Program Report, June 2000, prepared for the King County Office of Cultural Resources, 1998-99):

"I see historical awareness (by my students) of the built environment, more noticing of architecture, and architectural detail. Me too! For the first time I noticed the terra cotta Indian that's outside and determined to point it out to my class on next year's tour.."

"I would do it again. I felt it was a great experience for my students and myself. Many parents commented to me how much they learned and enjoyed the tour. Student response was positive too!"

The program begins in classrooms, with trained guides who provide support materials, suggestions and instruction to teachers interested in developing a curriculum. Support materials include historical overviews and graphic aids that help illustrate architectural styles and features.

The Seattle Architecture Foundation continually seeks guides to help with this program. If you're an architecture enthusiast, and like children, give Carolyn Purser a call. The Foundation's main number is (206) 667-9184. Or visit their Web site.

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