Architectural Historian

B.A., History, University of Washington, 2008

Tom has extensive experience in research, writing, preservation advocacy, and consulting throughout the Pacific Northwest. His path to becoming an architectural historian began in late 2014 when his curiosity about the 1924 apartment building in which he lived led to publishing a story on its history in his neighborhood newspaper, Capitol Hill Times. This experience sparked an all-encompassing passion for researching and writing about the historic built environment of his home neighborhood of Capitol Hill in Seattle. Tom published 16 additional articles across Capitol Hill Times, Capitol Hill Seattle Blog, and his own website.

In 2017, Tom co-founded the Seattle-based Capitol Hill Historical Society (CHHS), an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Capitol Hill neighborhood’s history and historic resources. During his five-year tenure as board president of CHHS, Tom co-authored a successful landmark nomination and supported others through public comment with additional research when needed. He and an architectural photographer also received grant funding to conduct a reconnaissance level survey of the neighborhood’s Mid-Century Modern style apartment buildings with an intensive level survey of 11 resources. This project also included a 54-page context statement, 30-minute public presentation, and walking tour.

In 2019, Tom launched his own preservation consulting business. As a consultant, he worked on five Seattle Landmark Nominations, dozens of Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) historical reports, and 31 school histories for Seattle Public Schools. Tom meets the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for History and Architectural History.