A few years ago, Brian Page, AS '95, was working as a seasonal employee for Delaware state parks, arranging programs at the historic one-room schoolhouse that serves as the Port Penn, Del., Museum.

His responsibilities in that small fishing village just south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal included scheduling events, learning the town's history, presenting tours and schmoozing with area residents.

Today, as historic preservation planner for Sussex County, Del., Page is responsible for 6,000 historic buildings and 300 archaeological sites scattered throughout the 950 square miles of Delaware's largest county.

Page says his interest in history probably stems from his family roots that reach deep into First State soil. He grew up in Marshallton, Del., outside Wilmington. The village is nnamed after the Marshalls, Page's ancestors,
who settled in the area as early as 1706. Eventually, his family members moved into the Pike Creek area and, by 1730, some ancestors had settled in Lewes.

Now a southern Delaware resident, Page lives in Laurel and, in 2002, plans to marry Dacia Orr, CHEP 2000, a school teacher he met on campus.

One of Page's primary duties is to represent Sussex County's government to all parties interested in historic preservation or that manage historic properties. This includes such groups as museums, nonprofit organizations, local municipalities and the state and federal government.

He also works closely with architects, designers, builders and sewer and utility contractors to make sure development will not have an adverse impact on historic and archaeological sites.

Each year, Page is asked to recommend a Sussex County site to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. One of his most important tasks, he says, is to serve in a public relations role as liaison between parties that are involved in disputes concerning historic sites and structures.

"I see my role as a combination of host of PBS' This Old House and a diplomat," Page says.

Page provides his insight on well-known historic structures, but, he also spends a significant amount of time on out-of-the-way projects in rural areas, involving less-visible structures and sites.

"I've worked on sweet potato houses, chicken houses, slave quarters, a World War II military site, an American Indian church and public monuments and train stations," Page says. "I work on a variety of projects at the same time. Usually, I have seven or eight going."

After leaving his modern, third-floor office, located above Georgetown's historic Circle, Page stops frequently to point out the history associated with several buildings--the old post office, the Brick Hotel, the original Sussex County Courthouse, the old whipping post.

"What I find most satisfying about this job," Page says, "is my ability to go out and, not only make a difference, but to make a difference for the public good. In many of these cases, there is a genuine benefit, in the long term, to the public."

But, having to make hard decisions--and often serving as a peacemaker or negotiator among opposing groups of preservationists, developers, civic leaders, volunteers and elected officials--isn't always pleasant.

"I've found you have to balance priorities," Page says, "and work with a multitude of different agencies as a diplomat. Being an historic preservation planner, you know what it's like to be a savior in the morning and a puppy killer in the afternoon."

--Ed Okonowicz, AS '69, '84M