Frampton Tolbert
Executive Director
framptont[at]hdc.org | 212-614-9107 x405
Frampton is Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council. He is a New York City-based preservationist and non-profit management leader, with extensive experience in historic preservation advocacy and community outreach, fundraising, communications, and a deep knowledge of New York’s architectural and cultural history. He previously served as HDC’s Deputy Director from 2005-2014.
Tolbert graduated with a BA in Historic Preservation from the University of Mary Washington, and has held positions at the Center for Urban Pedagogy, Brooklyn Museum, and the Phillips Collection.
He has received a New York State Council on the Arts grant and a James Marston Fitch Foundation Fellowship for his work examining vernacular modernism in the borough of Queens, and currently serves on several boards including Docomomo New York/Tri-State and the Victorian Society in America. He lives in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn and serves on the board of the Society for Clinton Hill.
Michelle Arbulu
Director of Communications and Programs
marbulu[at]hdc.org | 212-614-9107 x404
Michelle Arbulu is the Historic Districts Council’s Director of Communications and Programs, and has been with the organization since 2009, when she began as a volunteer researching historic districts in the Bronx. Ms. Arbulu is responsible for both in-house and outreach communications, and disseminates hard news, action alerts, policy statements, white papers, and programming support.
Ms. Arbulu manages the Historic Districts Council’s online presence, and helps coordinate the organization’s extensive website, e-mail, and social media content. In addition, she oversees the creation and production of printed matter for the Council’s activism and special events.
Ms. Arbulu is also responsible for all of the Historic Districts Council’s free and fundraising events and programs.
Ms. Arbulu attended the University of Mary Washington, where she studied Historic Preservation. She also took classes in Historic Preservation at the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen in New York City.
Ms. Arbulu lives near the Jackson Heights Historic District in Queens.
Helen Freeman
Director of Development
hfreeman[at]hdc.org | 212-614-9107 x403
Helen Freeman is the Historic Districts Council’s Director of Development, a position she has held since 2019. She is responsible for HDC’s development efforts for corporate, foundation, public and individual giving, including fundraising campaigns, grant writing and reporting, and events.
Ms. Freeman attended Bryn Mawr College, where she studied Classical & Near Eastern Archaeology and Anthropology. She also holds a Master’s Degree in History of Decorative Art from the Bard Graduate Center on the Upper West Side. Prior to joining HDC, she managed the membership program for The Frick Collection for over ten years.
A long-time New York City resident, Ms. Freeman lives in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan.
Lucie Levine
Preservation Advocacy and Community Outreach Manager
llevine [at] hdc.org | 212-614-9107 x406
Lucie Levine is a writer, historian and New York City tour guide. She founded the historical tour and event company Archive on Parade, and has offered tours and lectures on New York City history in collaboration with The New School, CUNY, NYU Langone, The American Institute of Architects, The Municipal Art Society, The Historic Districts Council, The New York Public Library, The 92nd Street Y, Village Preservation, The New York Preservation Archive Project and Landmark West. She is also a Public Space Programming Partner for the New York City Department of Transportation, and has published widely on New York City history at outlets including The Gotham Center for New York City History Blog, Jstor Daily, and 6sqft, where she was the Contributing History Writer. She lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Diego Robayo
Public Relations Specialist for Hispanic Communities
drobayo[at]hdc.org | 212-614-9107 x402
Born and raised in the vibrant streets of Colombia, I traded in my salsa dancing shoes for the hustle and bustle of New York City in 2016. As a journalist and public relations expert, I spend my days working with the diverse and underrepresented communities in the outer boroughs of the city, using my skills in public engagement and programming to make a difference. When I’m not busy working, you can find me hitting up the latest blockbuster at the movie theater or chowing down on some delicious eats in my favorite neighborhood for trying new foods – Jackson Heights. But when the night falls and I’m feeling a little more low key, you can catch me hanging out in the Lower East Side, the ultimate place for a good time.