Originally working in the world of advertising, Fred Papert first became involved in preservation through Carnegie Hill Neighbors and the Municipal Art Society. He was later involved in the battle to save Grand Central Terminal and Theatre Row. He worked extensively with the theater owners and the city, helping to make the area economically viable by advocating for zoning and tax bonuses for owners. He also speaks about how the Municipal Art Society has changed over the course of his long career and his dealings with various prominent preservationists, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.