I write about old places and the stories they tell us.

Hi! My name is Alyssa McClanahan. I’m a historian who writes about old places—especially historic cities—and the stories they can tell us.

I especially care about conflicted, misunderstood places.

So, I’ve spent the last 10+ years working in place-making, historic preservation, public incentives, public history, and economic and community development, trying to make cities better. Equitable, green, accessible, preserved, meaningful. 

I’ve worked with community groups, businesses, and federal, state, and local government officials to execute over 150 collaborative projects in different cities, including the rehabilitation of 50+ historic buildings.

I would love to work together.