CHARLES BRILVITCH

Charles Brilvitch is the historian who "discovered" the Mary and Eliza Freeman Houses and researched Little Liberia. He launched the drive for national recognition of Bridgeport's historic Liberia settlement and promoted the preservation of the Freeman Houses.

Mr. Brilvitch has prepared Historic Tax Credit applications since 1978, and served as historic preservation specialist for most of the major certified rehabilitation projects in the Bridgeport area. Among them are the Crescent Block on Washington Avenue, winner of the 2001 AIA Design Award; and the Washington Park Rehabilitation (10 buildings), winner of the 2002 National Trust Annual Award.

As official Historian of the City of Bridgeport from 1990 to 2003 Charles Brilvitch prepared nominations to the National Register of Historic Places that enrolled some 3000 structures. He authored the studies for the creation of all five local Historic Districts in the City of Bridgeport. Mr. Brilvitch served as City of Bridgeport Environmental Review Officer and Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services programs in Bridgeport and New York City. He has also served as advisor to both the local historic commission and Bridgeport Community Historical Society.

Charles Brilvitch was also profiled in Historic Preservation Magazine, the official publication of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.