What does preservation mean, exactly?  Many people might associate the term with environmental preservation or conservation. For others however, the word is primarily used in the context of historic preservation, which is the act of physically preserving and protecting historic buildings, landscapes, and other sites, for the purposes of education and interpretation, cultural enrichment, and public benefit.

How can you get involved with historic preservation?  You don't need a degree in historic preservation or be an architect to get involved. In fact, much of the work of preservation is often done by passionate volunteers who advocate for the historic resources in their own communities.

History Colorado intern, University of Colorado-Denver student, and Koch Fellow Kirby Page-Schmit sat down with Chris Johnston, the new Assistant State Archaeologist, to ask him about his life, work, and plans for his new job.