Countdown to Civil War Weekend and Preservation Conference

It’s almost time for two of the most anticipated events in the history and preservation community from September 24-27. The activities begin with the Civil War Weekend on Saturday, September 24, with nine sites and programs at various times and locations.

The Preservation Virginia Conference begins the afternoon of Sunday, September 25 in Winchester. The conference registration is nearly full; for inquiries on reservations, please call Alexis Feria at 804-648-1889, ext. 300 or e-mail aferia@preservationvirginia.org. The preliminary conference program is available for download at http://preservationvirginia.org/Conference/preliminaryProgram08.pdf.

We hope to see you there!

Seismic Retrofitting and Historic Buildings

As we were reminded on Tuesday, we can experience earthquakes in our region. Are you thinking now about ways to retrofit your historic building to better withstand future seismic activity? Consider reading Preservation Brief 41: The Seismic Retrofit of Historic Buildings, part of the series of technical briefs produced by the National Park Service to aid in the proper maintenance and rehabilitation of historic structures.

Find more Preservation Briefs online at http://www.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/presbhom.htm.

Preservation Virginia Conference Registration Open

Registration is now open for the 26th Annual Virginia Preservation Conference: Historic Preservation & Community Engagement: Saving Places that Matter

Dates: September 25 – September 27, 2011
Location: George Washington Hotel, Winchester, Virginia
Cost: $159.00; Preservation Virginia members receive a 10% discount
Registration includes: Registration for all sessions; walking tour of Winchester on Sunday, Sunday night reception, continental breakfasts, Annual Preservation Awards lunch on Monday, Monday night reception (cash bar), conference materials, and access the conference bookstore.
Online registration, preliminary program, and more information at: http://www.preservationvirginia.org/Conference/

French and Indian War Muster at Fort Frederick State Park

The French and Indian War Foundation announces a bus tour on August 27 to Fort Frederick State Park in Maryland to see 18th century French, British and American Indian reenactors. Lunch is available for purchase on site. Additional stops at other fort sites on the way to and from Fort Frederick will be included as time permits.

Cost: $50 per person, $35 for students.
Contact: Alan Morrison, 540-667-5978 or amorison@att.net
Online at: frenchandindianwarfoundation.org

Patsy Cline House Ready for Visitors

Celebrating Patsy Cline is nearing the completion of its vision to open Patsy Cline’s home of South Kent Street as a house museum on Tuesday. The tour includes the living room, dining room, a bedroom, and kitchen. The docent-guided tours will take about 35 to 45 minutes. The home is furnished with authentic memorabilia and period pieces, reflecting Patsy Cline’s life from 1948 to 1957 when she called 608 South Kent Street home.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for a special ceremony on September 3 to commemorate the opening of the house, coinciding with the annual visit of the Always Patsy Cline Fan Club to Winchester.

For more information, call 540-662-5555 or visit celebratingpatsycline.org.

Hours through Oct. 31 are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Cost is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and older, $4 for ages 11 to 18, and free for military and ages 10 and under.

Click here for the article in The Winchester Star (login required).

Shenandoah Moonlight Ball: July 30

Step back in time, dance,and be merry! The Shenandoah Moonlight Ball is a free, family-friendly traditional southern ball in historic downtown Winchester. Period dance instruction is provided by the Victorian Dance Ensemble and music provided by Susquehanna Travellers. Period, casual or formal attire.

Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM-10:00 PM
Venue: First Presbyterian Church, 116 South Loudoun Street, Winchester VA
Phone: (540) 662-4946
Email: wincparks@ci.winchester.va.us
Cost: FREE!

New Face for an Old Place

Toll House
Do you remember when the Toll House on Amherst Street was blue? This image was taken in the late 1980s, shortly before PHW purchased the property through the Jennings Revolving Fund and placed restrictive covenants in the deed to ensure its continued preservation.

The building is getting a facelift with the removal of the stucco siding to reveal the wooden siding beneath. Similar projects have taken place on North Washington Street in recent years. We hope this stucco removal yields equally amazing results!

Document Digitization Project: July 29 and 30

The Civil War 150 Legacy Project is coming to Winchester on July 29-30 at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center. The project is an effort to scan Civil War-era (or related) documents and photographs from private collections.

Citizens are encouraged to bring original family materials to be scanned and included in the Project. This is a unique opportunity to share original family Civil War documents and photographs with a wider audience – without giving up ownership or any rights to those original materials.

Please note:

  • Materials must be originals.
  • Materials must be from private collections.
  • Only flat materials can be scanned; no three-dimensional objects can be included.
  • This is not an appraisal opportunity. (Library of Virginia personnel will not be able to give any kind of valuation to the materials.)

    • Participants in the project should call ahead to make a scanning appointment. Appointments will be scheduled between 10 am and 4pm on both July 29 and 30. To schedule an appointment, participants should call the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center at 540-542-1326.

    The length of the appointments will vary depending upon the material to be scanned:

  • Diary: 30-45 minutes per diary
  • Letter – 5 pages or less: 10 minutes
  • Letter – 6-15 pages: 20 minutes
  • Photograph: 5 minutes per item

    • While the digitizing and display of the materials that have been scanned at previous events is an ongoing process, you can see a sample of what’s been scanned at the “Virginia Memory: CW Legacy Project” section of the Library of Virginia website at http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/cw150.

    Old Town Winchester Strolling Bridal Show: June 26

    weddingThe shops of Historic Old Town Winchester have so much to offer for your wedding. From the cake, flowers and photography, to the reception and that perfect dress, Old Town Winchester merchants will help make your day special!

    The Strolling Bridal Show is from noon-4:00pm, Sunday, June 26th. Visit participating shops–identified by balloons at the storefronts–and you may win great prizes! Start at Formalities (157 N. Loudoun St.) for your sign-up sheet. The Espresso Bar & Cafe (165 N. Loudoun St.) will be open; stop in to take a break. Shenandoah Carriage Company will be providing complimentary carriage rides.

    Click here for more information on the event.
    Click here for parking and directions.

    Sponsored by Old Town Business Owners Association

    The Clermont Forum: June 24 and 25

    This forum seeks public input on the long-range plans to utilize Clermont Farm in Berryville, Clarke County. This National Register property was bequeathed to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 2004. The Clermont Foundation manages the assets, archives, and endowment for Clermont Farm, as well as maintaining the active farming and preserving the buildings. They are currently working on a Historic Structures Report and the Long Range Plan for the Use and Interpretation of Clermont.

    This is where your participation is needed. To organize the themes of possible interpretation of Clermont, Professor Warren Hofstra has organized scholars to research and present their findings on seven key historical themes. The presentations and public comments will be used to determine the ultimate use of Clermont. This event is free and open to the public.

    1st Session: June 24, 12:45-2:45 at Grace Church Parish Hall
    Kym Rice – Clermont and the Potential of Public History
    Kenneth E. Koons – Agriculture and Rural Life

    2nd Session: June 24, 3:15-5:00 at Parish Hall, followed by a reception
    Melvin Patrick Ely – House of Bondage, Springboard into Freedom; Clermont and Clarke County’s Black Community
    Karen Hughes White – African American Life at Clermont

    3rd Session: June 25, 9:30-11:30, Old Courthouse, followed by lunch at Parish Hall
    Deborah A. Lee – Women and Domestic-Professional Life at Clermont
    Dennis J. Pogue and Maral S. Kalbian – Architecture and Material Culture at Clermont

    4th Session: June 25, 12:30-2:30, Old Courthouse
    Peter Wallenstien – Legal History and Life in the Law
    Joseph W. A. Whitehorne – Patriots: Clermont Residents’ Military Experiences
    Kathleen Kilpatrick – Reflections and Conclusion

    For more information and to RSVP for the event, please contact Bob Stieg, CEO, The Clermont Foundation, bstieg@msn.com or 540-837-2790.