Nathaniel C. Guest

Nathaniel C. Guest is a Lecturer in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP). He holds a B.A. from Cornell (1994), a J.D. from Temple University (2010), and an M.A. in historic preservation planning from AAP (2012). His work bridges law, planning, and community preservation advocacy.

His research and teaching focus on the intersection of historic preservation, urban economics, and legal frameworks. Key areas include:

• Economics and financing of neighborhood conservation
• Preservation planning and urban change
• Legal rights for historic properties
• Community-based preservation models
• Railway heritage and infrastructure reuse
• Ethics and advocacy in preservation

The selected publications reflect a strong trend toward legal and economic dimensions of preservation, with emphasis on community-driven initiatives and the adaptive reuse of historically significant sites, particularly those with social and ethical implications.

Notable awards include:

• Burton Award for Legal Achievement (2010)
• Temple University Friedman Prize for Legal Writing (2010)
• Community Action Award, Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia (2011)
• Who's Who in Legal Practice (2012)

Guest has advised and led multiple preservation organizations and initiatives. He founded the Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance and the Keystone Marker Trust, and he serves as director for Preservation Pennsylvania and the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area. As National Heritage Grants chairman for the National Railway Historical Society, he plays a key role in funding preservation projects. While no formal student advisees are listed, his leadership in fellowships, such as the Cornell Tradition, highlights his engagement with student and community development. He has also been active in public scholarship through lectures and presentations internationally.

His preservation work is deeply tied to organizational leadership and program development. He founded the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust to restore a Civil War-era rail line and continues to direct multiple heritage organizations. These roles collectively form a robust network of preservation programs that integrate planning, law, and public engagement.