Posts Tagged ‘historic preservation’
One of my earlier blogs discussed the challenges of funding regarding environmental protection and historic preservation. At a time when budget-cutting and austerity measures are having a profound impact on the ability of state and local governments to set aside funds beyond essential services, along with diminishing individual donations to non-profits, the issue of funding is more important than ever. With inadequate financing how can communities and non-profits achieve their desired goals of protecting both open space and vital historic resources? Read more.
Somerset County Historic Preservation Symposium:
Saturday, April 27, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
40 North Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Preserving a historic structure can have a direct economic benefit on a neighborhood by increasing property values, as well as by encouraging the renovation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of other structures in the area. It can also have wider impacts on the entire community by stabilizing and improving economic vitality; educating the public about local history, culture, and architecture; and fostering a sense of civic pride.
The purpose of this open, public symposium is to bring together individuals from throughout New Jersey who have responsibility for planning, zoning, and historic preservation, or who have an interest in preserving and promoting our rich historic resources – and you’re invited!
Participants we will have the opportunity to hear from a number of well-known preservation professionals on issues related to state and local regulations, economic benefits, and available funding. Also on the agenda will be a specific example of a local preservation organization that was able to overcome a number of obstacles to achieve success.
Among the featured speakers will be: Dorothy Guzzo, NJ Historic Trust; Andrea Tingey, NJ Historic Preservation Office; and Wayne McCabe, Preservation Consultant.
The cost of the symposium is $5 per person with advanced payment, and $10 with payment at the door. Advanced payment can be made by mail, or by credit card payment with an online reservation. Make checks payable to Heritage Trail Association and mail to Heritage Trail, 941 East Main St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807.
Call (732) 356-8856 for reservations, or sign up online: register.
As an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, I never take for granted the opportunities that exist to get away from the grind and noise of daily life and head to the woods for some peace and serenity. Notwithstanding its dense population and development, New Jersey has an impressive array of state parks and open space, thus offering ample opportunities for outdoor fun and recreation. Moreover, living in northern Bergen County allows relatively easy access to the Catskills and Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. Thankfully, protection of open space for outdoor recreation and getting back in touch with nature has been set aside for public enjoyment in perpetuity. Read more.
From H-Material Culture:
The Pioneer America Society: Association for the Preservation of Artifacts & Landscapes (PAS: APAL) announced the recipients of its 2012 Awards. We would like to extend special congratulations to the Mid-Atlantic recipients; Cathy A. Wilson of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania received the newly instituted W. Frank Ainsley Outstanding Service Award; Ryan and Eric Berley recieved an Historic Preservation Award for their restoration of the Shane Candies Confectionery in Philadelphia, PA; Temple University received an Historic Preservation Certificate of Merit for its rehabilitation of the North Broad Street Baptist Temple; and Kristen L. Britanik, a recent graduate of the Historic Preservation program at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD, received the Wilhelm-Keiffer Student Research Award. More information on all the Pioneer America Society: Association for the Preservation of Artifacts & Landscapes awards below. Read more.
From H-DC:
For those unable to attend the 39th Annual Conference on DC Historical Studies, conference organizers have begun posting copies of the presentations on the Conference website. Visitors to the site will find approximately eight papers available, including the Letitia Woods Brown Lecture by Carol W. Gelderman, “A Free Man of Color and his Hotel, James Wormley and the African American Community in pre-and post-Emancipation Washington.” More papers will be added in the coming weeks, so check back regularly. Read more.
Bucks County Community College’s Historic Preservation program is hosting “Building a Preservation Community,” March 31st, from 8:30 am to noon in Tyler Hall on the Newtown Campus. The event features keynote speaker Scott Doyle, the division chief for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. His talk will preview Pennsylvania’s 2012-2017 statewide historic preservation plan. Breakout sessions follow the keynote, “Undiscovered Historic Places in Your Community,” and “Caring for Historic Properties,” and “Preservation in the Community.” These sessions will be led by professors from BCCC’s Historic Preservation program.
To reserve a place for “Building a Preservation Community,” contact program coordinator Patricia Fisher-Olsen at fisherol@bucks.edu or 215-968-8286. To learn more about Historic Preservation at Bucks, visit www.bucks.edu/hp.
(Information from Newtown Patch)
From the National Park Service, March 6, 2012:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the designation of 13 new National Historic Landmarks in nine different states, including a site associated with the famed Apache scouts, the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in the world, and an early 18th-century parish church.
Five of the thirteen sites are in the Mid-Atlantic Region:
• Among seacoast lighthouses still in existence, the Montauk Point Lighthouse (Long Island, New York) was the most important for the nation’s foreign trade during the first eight decades of the United States lighthouse service;
• Located in Midtown Manhattan, the Town Hall (New York City, New York) represents the history of American radio broadcasting during the golden age of network radio from the 1930s through the 1950s;
• The destroyer escort USS Slater (Albany, New York) is a rare and extraordinarily intact example of an important class of mass-produced warships designed for convoy protection during World War II;
• Constructed in 1888-89 by a wealthy Troy couple as a memorial to their only child, the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel and Crematorium (Troy, New York) is the most architecturally sophisticated example of early public crematoria in the United States. The building is an example of Romanesque Revival architectural composition with a rich detailed interior design that reflect its memorial nature;
• Built in 1888-1889, the Braddock Carnegie Library (Braddock, Pennsylvania) is the oldest intact library building in the United States funded by Andrew Carnegie;
On January 31, 2012, the Maryland Historical Trust awarded its Preservation Awards for 2012. The awards are presented annually by MHT’s Board of Trustees and represents the highest level of recognition for historic preservation and heritage education project in Maryland. Fourteen awards across nine categories were awarded to individuals and organizations across Maryland. Full descriptions of each project and its partners is available at the MTH press release (PDF).
Excellence in Media and Publications:
Annapolis: City on the Severn, A History
The War of 1812 in Charles County’s Backyard: A Virtual Tour
Montgomery County Historic Preservation Interactive Mapping Initiative
Excellence in Community Engagement:
Cambridge City Hall Renovation Plans
Community Impact:
Rehabilitation of the Most Precious Blood Church for use as the Betterton Community Center
Frederick Visitor Center
Preservation Partnerships:
Rehabilitation of the Old Towson Jail
Rehabilitation of the Ridgeley Rosenwald School
Excellence in Commercial Rehabilitation:
La Banque de Fleuve
Outstanding Stewardship of Historic Properties by a Government Agency:
C&O Canal National Historical Park
Outstanding Stewardship of MHT Easement Properties:
Holly Hill
Outstanding Organizational Leadership at the Local Level:
Four Rivers Heritage Area; Carol Benson, Pat Barland, Donna Ware, Donna Hole
Outstanding Individual Leadership at the Local Level:
Louis S. Diggs
Elizabeth Scott Shatto
From Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia:
The Preservation Alliance has announced its 2012 award recipients.
THE JAMES BIDDLE AWARD for lifetime achievement in historic preservation was awarded to Richard J. Webster, Phd.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD for preservation in the public interest was awarded to The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
THE ROHODA AND PERMAR RICHARDS AWARD for service to the Preservation Alliance went to the Architectural Walking Tour volunteer guides.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD for exceptional contributions to historic preservation was awarded to Ruth and Mansfield Bascom.
COMMUNITY ACTION AWARDS for achievement by community organizations
Friends of Mt. Moriah Cemetery: For efforts to maintain and improve Mt. Moriah Cemetery
Strawberry Mansion CDC and Strawberry Mansion NAC: For successful efforts to retain the historic character of the Strawberry Mansion trolley barn
SPECIAL 100th ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION
Bucks County Historical Society: On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Henry Mercer’s home, Fonthill
GRAND JURY AWARDS were given to a number of projects in the region (partial list, for full list of awardees and project details, please visit preservationalliance.com)
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Curtis Institute of Music Lenfest Hall, Philadelphia, PA
George A. Weiss Pavilion at Franklin Field, Philadelphia, PA
Independence Hall Tower, Philadelphia, PA
Medallion Garden at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA
Shane Candies, Philadelphia, PA
Smithville Park Houses, Eastampton, New Jersey
Termini Brothers Bakery, Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live at the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Delaware
The awards will be celebrated at The Alliance Preservation Achievement Awards Luncheon on May 8, 2012.
From H-New Jersey:
On March 2, Preservation New Jersey will host its annual Preservation Celebration. The event honors leaders, visionaries, and professionals who have preserved and restored important landmarks and landscapes throughout the state. Preservation New Jersey is hosting the event at the historic Mansion at Bretton Woods in Morris Plains.
This year’s honorees include:
Sarah P. Fisk Legacy & Leadership Awards:
The Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program, for long-term leadership, education, and commitment to the preservation of Morris County’s historic treasures, specifically through the Historic Preservation Trust Fund grant program.
The Knowles Family, for their exemplary restoration and stewardship of Pleasantdale Chateau and Highlawn Pavilion, two of West Orange, NJ’s most significant historic treasures.
Building Industry Network Award:
Femenella and Associates, Inc., for the firm’s remarkable leadership in historic preservation, including their commitment to the preservation and restoration of New Jersey’s historic windows and stained glass, demonstrated at landmarks statewide.
Preservation Visionary:
Betty Demy Hutcheon, for her tireless dedication to Preservation New Jersey and historic preservation advocacy.
Event details are available here.
