The Historic Collaborative
For more information, call Christopher Wilson at 207-546-1388
The Historic Collaborative (THC) advances the preservation of historic resources by guiding clients through complex regulatory frameworks and incentive programs, including:
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federal and state historic tax credits,
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national register nominations,
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conservation easements,
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landmarks commissioner training and education,
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adaptive reuse and design charrettes,
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regulatory compliance, and
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expert testimony.
Our Expertise
The Historic Collaborative partners with developers, property owners, and project teams—from concept to certification—to unlock the full financial potential of historic properties, providing strategic insight that aligns design, compliance, and financial goals.
With deep expertise in both Federal and State Historic Tax Credit programs, THC guides our clients through every phase of the process—from eligibility and application to design coordination and final approval.
The result is a streamlined approach to securing critical project equity, minimizing risk, and maximizing the value of historic assets, while also preserving the character and histories that make these places unique.
By enabling thoughtful adaptive reuse, we transform historic structures into sustainable, economically viable assets, breathing new life into old places while safeguarding their architectural legacy.
Our Team
Fred Stachura
Principal,
The Historic Collaborative
Currently, Fred works on historic tax credits, adaptive reuse and building development. With prior experience in the private practice of law, non-profit advocacy, and consulting, he has developed specialized expertise in preservation law and planning, organizational development, community advocacy and preservation-based real estate development. Additionally, Fred has represented individuals, developers, neighborhood associations, and non-profit organizations before zoning and historic preservation agencies, and state courts. His professional interests include Main Street/Smart Growth consultation, blue economy initiatives, preservation non-profit organizational facilitation, and building collaborative relationships. Previously the Planning Supervisor for the Maryland National-Capital Park and Planning Commisions's Community Planning Division, Fred also has expertise in technical preservation issues, preservation easements, ordinances, and preservation public policy. Along with teaching preservation law, advocacy, and policy at the University of Maryland, Fred has taught historic preservation law and planning, and adaptive reuse and rehabilitation finance courses at Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI), and Boston Architectural College (Boston, MA). He is currently the President and Chairman of the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions (MAHDC) where he has served since 2010. Fred is a graduate of Boston College (BA in History), Boston University (MA in Preservation Studies) and Saint Louis University School of Law (Juris Doctor).
John Lusk
Owner & Architect,
JHL Tecture
John is an experienced architect and president of JHL/Tecture, AE, P.C., and key partner of The Historic Collaborative. In his more than 30 years of experience in the fields of new building design, building restoration, historic preservation, urban master planning and development, and commercial facilities, he has managed over 200 architectural projects. He brings a complete package of architectural experience with emphasis on facility analysis, facility planning, facility programming, and master planning as well as the essential community empathy. John received his Bachelor of Architecture in May of 1980 from Kent State University. Architectural Registrations include New York (1987), Pennsylvania (2000), and Rhode Island (2001). Currently working on registration status in conjunction with Massachusetts and California.
Christopher Wilson
Principal,
The Historic Collaborative
Having worked in the historic preservation field for 31 years, Chris most recently served the federal agency Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) from 2010 to 2025. During his tenure, he provided oversight and guidance to 17 federal agencies, including the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution on the National Historic Preservation Act. He has also worked in multiple capacities within the field of historic preservation for municipalities conducting design review, preservation planning, and in providing incentives to historic homeowners, commercial property interests, and state and other federal agencies. He has also collaborated with multiple entities and provided conflict resolution for numerous projects. Additionally, Chris has been a county planning director, museum curator and has served on many non-profit boards, including the chairmanship of Arlington County, Virginia Historical Affairs and Landmarks Review Board, serving on the board of the Winter Harbor-Maine Historical Society, Advisory Board Chairman of the Winter Harbor-Maine Music Festival, and serves on the advocacy committee of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. Chris has a Master's Degree in Historic Preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design.
Louise Brodnitz
Senior Historic Preservation Architect
Louise is an architect, construction manager, forensics and historic preservation subject matter expert. Recent projects include construction management for the largest historic preservation project in the country, the headquarters of the Department for Homeland Security. As a program analyst, she has managed agency compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) with cases including EPA, Navy, FRA, FTA, FHWA, Army Corps, and DOJ nationwide. In addition to other positions, Louise has also served as cultural resources manager for Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, and a chief architect for Joseph Pell Lombardi and Associates in New York City. Her education includes a Master’s of City and Regional Studies from Rutgers/Columbia University, and a Master’s of Architecture degree from the University of California-Berkeley.
Craig Layne
Communications Consultant
With more than 25 years of professional experience in corporate communications, marketing, and advertising, Craig is a versatile and skilled communicator who can deliver effective and engaging content for various audiences and platforms.
Our Portfolio
Unity Park
Borealis Coffee Company
Pivotal Brewing Company
Bristol Art Museum
Brick Pizza Company
Pawtuxet Armory
Conley's Wharf at State Pier No. 1
Bullard Memorial Farm Holliston, MA
97 Pleasant Street Wickford, RI
Captain Philip Cory House Tiverton, RI
Braintree Historical Society Braintree, MA
College Hill Neighborhood Association
Providence, RI
St. Anne's Arts and Cultural Center Woonsocket, RI
Our Story
The Historic Collaborative (THC) was founded by Fred Stachura, whose career in downtown revitalization and preservation strategy led to a long-standing partnership with JHL/Tecture, principal architect John Lusk. The two first connected while working with communities across the Finger Lakes area of New York State, where their shared vision for historic preservation, economic revitalization, and thoughtful design quickly set the foundation for a dynamic collaboration.
Together, they advanced numerous preservation and redevelopment initiatives, combining strategic consulting with architectural expertise to breathe new life into historic places. This integrated approach—grounded in respect for historic character while enabling modern use—remains central to JHL’s and THC’s work today.
After further expanding his leadership in preservation as Project Director at the Providence Preservation Society, Fred established The Historic Collaborative in Bristol, Rhode Island in 2001. At the same time, John extended his architectural practice to the region, recognizing the extraordinary opportunity presented by Rhode Island’s rich historic fabric.
Following a period of additional experience in large-scale neighborhood revitalization and regional planning in Washington, D.C., Fred reestablished THC with a refined, results-driven focus. During his time in Washington, Fred also collaborated with former Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Analyst Christopher Wilson, further refining a shared philosophy grounded in preservation best practices. Today, the firm works exclusively with JHL’s architecture team to deliver highly specialized historic tax credit consulting, design, and architectural services.
THC partners with developers, property owners, and project teams to unlock the full financial potential of historic properties. With deep expertise in both Federal and State Historic Tax Credit programs, the firm guides clients through every phase of the process—from eligibility and application to design coordination and final approval. The result is a streamlined path to securing critical project equity, minimizing risk, and maximizing the value of historic assets—while preserving the character and stories that make these places unique.
Big Title
Fred Stachura
John Lusk
Christopher Wilson
Your Contact
Christopher Wilson will respond to your request as soon as possible. Thank you!
207-546-1388