معرفی
Melissa Blair serves as Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Public History in the Department of History at UMBC. With over 15 years of prior experience as an architectural historian and historic preservationist across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, she integrates practical preservation expertise into academic practice.
Her research centers on architectural and landscape history, material culture, and public history within 18th-19th century America. Current investigations examine Maryland’s Piedmont region (1760-1930), analyzing how farming patterns shaped vernacular structures and rural landscapes, with emphasis on preservation methodologies for industrial-era built environments.
Blair’s publications demonstrate expertise in regional architectural design history, particularly her co-authored 2014 study of Art Deco in Mid-Atlantic urban centers, which bridges cultural history and architectural analysis.
She received the 2018 Kendall Service Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Universities at Shady Grove, recognizing her as the top educator among nine participating universities.
