Tony P. Wrenn

Tony P. Wrenn was born in Roxboro, North Carolina, in 1933 and studied American history at Wake Forest University. Over the course of his career, he worked as an archivist and preservation professional, with roles connected to the National Archives, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and later the American Institute of Architects.

He is best known as the co-author of America's Forgotten Architecture, a widely noted book that explored overlooked parts of the built environment, including roadside and vernacular structures that had often been dismissed by traditional architectural history. He also wrote on regional history and architecture, including work on Virginia landmarks such as Huntley: A Mason Family Country House.

Wrenn’s career joined scholarship with practical preservation work. In addition to writing, he contributed to historic surveys and documentation, and he has been recognized in North Carolina local-history circles as an important voice in architecture and preservation.