PHW – Page 99 – Preservation of Historic Winchester

PHW’s 48th Annual Meeting on June 10

It is almost time to close our fiscal year at PHW, and the Annual Meeting is our chance to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next with the membership. This year’s Annual Meeting will be held in the Old Post Office at 40 West Piccadilly Street, now the home of New Lifestyles and the Coffee Cellar. The business portion of the meeting begins at 2 p.m. and covers the state of PHW, election of officers and board members, presentation of the 2012 PHW preservation awards, and the announcement of winners from the “Uncovering Your Hidden Gems” architectural photo contest.

Following the meeting, Dr. Kenneth L. Cuave of New Lifestyles will open this impressive building to PHW members for a tour from the basement to the attic, revealing the structure’s changing uses as a post office, a stock-brokerage, a restaurant, a bank, an art gallery, a bridal shop, and the offices of New Lifestyles and the Coffee Cellar. As an alternative to the tour, a light reception will also be held in the Coffee Cellar following the meeting.

Are you a PHW member? If not, you can join today and make the Old Post Office the first of many PHW events you attend! More information on membership to PHW is available at www.phwi.org/join.php.

150th Anniversary of Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign Events

A number of events commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign will be taking place in our area from May 24 to June 9. Here’s a rundown of the events:

May 24, 2012: “150 Years Ago…On This Day” Tour – The Running Fight on the Valley Pike (Middletown) – Presented by Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park
May 25, 2012: “150 Years Ago…On This Day” Tour – The First Battle of Winchester (Winchester)
May 25, 2012: “History at Sunset” – The First Battle of Winchester (Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester) – Presented by the MSV and Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park
May 27, 2012: Clarke County Memorial Day Service (Berryville)
June 9-10, 2012: Reenactment of Cross Key and Port Republic (Cedar Creek Battlefield, Middletown) – Presented by the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation.

In addition, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation’s major regional event, “If This Valley is Lost”: Preserving the Legacy of Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign, will be held in Cross Keys on June 9.

Visit Shenandoah at War for the full list of events related to Jackson’s Valley Campaign.

Commercial Winchester, 1974

While going through our old educational materials at the office, we came across a collection of commercial building photographs dated January 1974. Take a look to see some stores that are now long gone, buildings and streetscapes that have been altered almost past recognition, and even spot some stores that are still in business at the same location! (Keep a sharp eye out for the Taylor Hotel, hiding under the McCrory’s facade treatment.)

Visit the album on Picasa.

Images from Helping Homeowners

Work is progressing at our first facade improvement project house, 134 E. Leicester St. PHW started our association with the homeowner several years ago for Day of Caring. We are thrilled that our successful fundraisers this spring enabled us to give back a bit more to this deserving project. Images of the project can be seen at our Facebook page.

PHW is still accepting donations and volunteers for the program. Donations can be made at the PHW website via PayPal or via mail to PHW at 530 Amherst St. Winchester, VA 22601. Persons interested in volunteering, please contact Nancy Murphy at nvmurphy556@gmail.com.

Apple Blossom Reminder

As usual, the PHW office will be closed on Friday for Apple Blossom. While you are out and about enjoying the Bloom in Winchester, remember to bring your cameras and look for some interesting architectural details to submit to our Uncovering Your Hidden Gems photo contest. The Old Town Midway and the parade routes pass through our historic district, so you’re sure to see something neat for the contest this weekend!

This vintage postcard, along with several other Apple Blossom-themed cards from the Shenandoah Valley and beyond, is for sale at CardCow.com.

Uncovering Your Hidden Gems

PHW Announces a Photo Contest to Celebrate National Preservation Month

Last year for National Preservation Month, Preservation of Historic Winchester (PHW) and the Old Town Development Board (OTDB) sponsored an architectural treasure hunt challenging you to find interesting architectural features in our historic district. This year, it’s your turn to wow us with your architectural finds and maybe win a little something, too!

Below are the core rules:

How to Play
1. Take a picture of an interesting architectural detail in your home or visible from a public right of way in Winchester or Frederick County. Anything is fair game — a mantel, staircase, lock set, a window, trim, or something else.
2. Give your photo a brief caption to describe what you found and where it is. No technical terminology required!
3. Fill out the contact information (name, address, telephone number, and optionally e-mail) and include it with your entry.
4. Send your complete entry (photo, caption, and contact information) to PHW at phwi@verizon.net or 530 Amherst St. Winchester, VA 22601.
5. The contest runs from May 1 to June 1, 2012.

How to Win
1. Every person who submits a photo with complete information will be entered into a random drawing for a chance at one of four prize bags from downtown Winchester businesses. (More prizes may be available.)
2. A panel of PHW judges will also pick a “PHW’s Choice” winner for an outstanding and eye-catching submission.
3. You may submit an unlimited number of entries, but your name will be entered just once for the random drawing.
4. Winners will be announced at the PHW Annual Meeting on June 10, 2012.

Legal information
1. This contest is open to the general public and all age categories. Minors, please have an adult help you with your submission!
2. PHW and OTDB employees, board members, and their immediate families are excluded from the prize drawings.
3. By submitting a complete entry to the contest, you consent to the use of your name and/or photograph in any educational materials, merchandise or publicity carried out or produced by PHW or OTDB without further notice or compensation. In turn, you still retain the rights to use and publish your photograph.

For any questions, please contact us at PHW, (540) 667-3577 or phwi@verizon.net. And remember: have fun!

Maintenance at the Hexagon House

Be careful if you plan to visit the PHW office in the next few days. We are having some maintenance work done to our rear porch, which is our main entrance to the building. We’re down to the joists and a piece of plywood right now!

Get Your Cameras Ready

PHW is putting the polishing touches on a National Preservation Month activity that will run from May 1 to June 1, 2012. You’ll need your camera and some ingenuity to participate this year.

Keep an eye out for the contest rules at the PHW blog and website, as well as our May edition of the PHW printed newsletter. We think you’re going to like it!

Reminder for Preservation Award Nominations

PHW is still accepting nominations to recognize achievements in preservation in Winchester and Frederick County. Projects (historical research or rehabilitation) or leadership activities should have been completed in the period from late May/June 2011 to May 2012 to be eligible for this year’s round of awards.

Download a nomination form at www.phwi.org/issues/award.pdf. Nominations are due at the PHW office, 530 Amherst St., Winchester, VA 22601 or via email at phwi@verizon.net by May 1, 2012.

Manhattan(s) in Winchester Event Update

It’s almost time for the big day! Only three tickets remain. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this spectacular event!

To prepare for the event, the office will be closed promptly at 2 PM tomorrow, Friday the 13th. We will check in at the office on Saturday afternoon before the event for any last minute questions that arise.

Suggested parking map for Manhattan(s) in Winchester – click image to enlarge. On street parking is available on West Cork, South Washington, Wolfe, and South Braddock Streets. There are several nearby lots, including the Braddock Street United Methodist Church lot, the Valley Health Rehab Center lot, and the City-owned Cork, Palace, and Hable lots (map of City lots available here).

We’ll see you there on Saturday!