Peeping Cooper

Cooper Shields, an architectural historian from Ohio, joins Conan O'Brien on the podcast to explain his work in cultural resource management. He surveys sites for federally funded projects to ensure they do not harm historic structures, distinguishing his role from archaeology-focused colleagues who handle underground sites.

Surveying for Preservation

Shields works for a firm that conducts government-mandated cultural resource surveys triggered by federal funding. These check for impacts on architectural, historic, or archaeological heritage. His focus is "above-ground" work: driving in an orange vest to photograph buildings like 1980s apartment complexes or college dorms, assessing if projects—such as new roundabouts—threaten them. Mitigation options include shifting the project or the structure itself. Homeowners often react suspiciously to the photos, while developers may resent delays. Shields notes this protects everyday built environments, not just grand Victorians.