Kent Barwick
Kent L. Barwick is a historic preservationist who lives and works in New York City. He is best known for partnering with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to save Grand Central Terminal, upholding the New York City Landmarks Law in the 1970s, and working with the Municipal Art Society of New York and the Historic Districts Council.
Following graduation from Syracuse University, Barwick became involved in the Historic Preservation movement after telephoning New Yorker writer Joe Mitchell regarding a project in Cooper Square. He began a long professional relationship with The Municipal Art Society in 1969. In February 1975, the New York State Supreme Court overturned Grand Central Terminal’s New York City Landmark status, which opened the door to a demolition plan by the bankrupt Penn Central railroad. Barwick and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis successfully campaigned to halt the plan and preserve the station by taking the case to the Supreme Court in Penn Central Transportation Co. v. New York City.
Barwick served as the Municipal Art Society’s executive director from 1970 to 1975 and as its president from 1983 to 1995 and 1999 through 2009. He also chaired the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and cofounded the Historic Districts Council, which awarded him its Landmarks Lion award in 1997.