October 14, 2010
Article from the Fall 2010 Newsletter

NYPAP is excited to announce the official opening of the Historic Preservation Law Archive at Pace Law School. Established by Richard and Robert Miner, in honor of their sister, Professor Dorothy Marie Miner, the archive will house Dorothy’s collected papers, a gift of the Miner Family to Pace University.

As a pillar of the preservation world, legal counsel to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission for 20 years, and professor of preservation law at Columbia and Pace, her papers give unmatched insight into the inner legal workings of the New York landmarks law during its first 50 years. Perhaps what will prove most valuable to future scholars of Dorothy’s work is her unique approach to applying and advancing the landmarks law. Radically different than how the Commission has done this since her departure, Dorothy’s tenure at the LPC can provide inspiration and remind new generations of preservationists of a model that departs from what is today considered the norm.  

Dorothy Miner’s untimely death in 2008 saddened anyone who had the pleasure of working with her and learning from her. The many students she taught inevitably recall her extensive knowledge, dedication and tremendous generosity in sharing this knowledge of the field she loved so dearly. Although Dorothy is irreplaceable, the archiving of her papers at Pace Law School will help future generations of scholars, lawyers and preservationists achieve some sense of the preservation powerhouse that was Dorothy Miner.

Thanks go to Dorothy’s brothers – Richard and Robert Miner – Pace Law School, and especially to Dorothy’s colleague at Pace, Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, for their instrumental role in the preservation of these important papers and the creation of this archive for education of future generations.

NYPAP has a special affinity for Dorothy Miner, one of our earliest and longest-serving board members. She shared the intense belief in our mission to preserve, document and celebrate the history of preservation, realizing that this is essential for preservation’s future. While we all miss Dorothy dearly, this archive will help to keep her passion, knowledge and generosity alive for those that will follow in her footsteps.