Author: PHW

Save the Date: Lunch and Learn Lecture, Feb. 23

LecturesPHW will kick off our 2016 lecture series with “An Orientation to the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center,” presented by Chris Robinson, Superintendent of the Historic Preservation Training Center in Frederick, Maryland. He will speak to the preservation construction services offered and how they dovetail employee learning and development into this work. As part of their presentation, he will spotlight their current initiative to employ youth programs in this work and their mission to develop the next generation of historic resource stewards.

Date: Tuesday, February 23

Time: Noon-1 p.m.

Location: June E. Jeffrey Education Center at OakCrest Companies, 126 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA. The Education Center is at the upper parking lot, in the addition closest to the Winchester Star building.

Cost: The Lunch and Learn lectures are free and open to the public!

RSVPs: Appreciated but not required.

Parking: There is no off-street parking available at OakCrest. We recommend utilizing the George Washington Autopark at 131 N. Kent St.

Questions? phwi@verizon.net or 540-667-3577

Coming in February: Old Town Winchester Valentine-themed Scavenger Hunts

Northern Virginia Tours is offering special Valentine’s themed historical scavenger hunts in downtown Winchester this February. There are three maps for various age groups, appropriate for kids to adults. Each track offers a different prize for completion.

Purchase your tour map (ranging in price from $9.99 to $19.99) at the Old Town General Store, 106 S. Loudoun Street, during regular business hours. The scavenger hunts are active through the month of February.

Learn more at www.visitwinchesterva.com.

Check Presentation Event for National Avenue Brick Project

Mark your calendars: The check presentations to the Timbrook House and Boys and Girls Club from the proceeds of the National Avenue engraved bricks is scheduled for February 4, 2-3 PM at Stephen’s Restaurant and Jazz Cafe at 440 North Kent Street. There is room for approximately 25-35 guests for the event. We hope to see some of you there to celebrate!

Watch the CFNSV “Honoring Our Roots…Growing Our Future” Video

If you were unable to attend the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Community Stars event last week, you may catch the video shown at the event on YouTube. PHW’s own Bruce Downing and several other honorees speak about the Community Foundation’s history, mission, and future in this nine minute short with video and editing by Shaun Galang at Cedarmeade Studios.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes from This Old House

Extended cold weather and even our first significant snowfall are on the horizon for Winchester, and in addition to worrying about your pantry being stocked this weekend, you may be concerned about freezing pipes and the resulting damage that can ensue. This Old House expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates some common pipe insulation techniques and some tips for when that pipe does freeze. Watch the clip on YouTube and read the full supply list in the video description.

Bruce Downing Among the Honored at Community Foundation Event

Bruce Downing, PHW’s Secretary, was one among several familiar faces honored last night as one of the founding members of the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. The organization, founded in 2001 to allow individuals to create endowment funds to support their favorite causes, celebrated its fifteenth anniversary by launching “An Evening with Our Community Stars” at the Millwood Station Banquet Hall. PHW had shared the Hexagon House with the fledgling organization for approximately five years, and we are pleased to see them succeeding. For more information on the Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and their work, visit them at www.cfnsv.org.

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How To: Find Restoration Materials and Contractors

Often when performing a restoration or a rehabilitation of an older property, you need unique or unusual materials that can’t be found off the shelf at Lowe’s or Home Depot. PHW’s research library contains pamphlets on some of these companies and products, but thanks to the internet, many of these can now be found online. Here is a quick overview of some places to look for more information on restoration materials and companies:

The Old House Journal has a Restoration Products Directory listing more than 2000 companies. They also have products broken down by categories for easy browsing.

Preservation Directory also has a section dedicated to Businesses, Products & Services. Not only does it include actual materials and contractors, but also to consultants for associated aspects of preservation like National Register nominations.

If you have access to the National Trust for Historic Preservation Forums, you may wish to search past topics for information and experiences with unusual materials.

Don’t forget our local architectural salvage business, Maggie’s Farm in Front Royal, VA.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has a consultant directory. DHR’s directory is not an approved or all-inclusive list, but a starting point for owners seeking professional help with their preservation project. Download as a PDF.

Finally, PHW has a contractor directory to local craftsmen who have specialties in historic preservation work, or even just small odd jobs around old houses. We are always accepting new craftsmen to be included in our directory; drop us an email at phwi@verizon.net to update your listing or submit one to us. You can download a blank consultant form here.

Do you have any other favorite sources to go to for restoration materials? Let us know!