November 1, 2010
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will present a series of free workshops across the state exploring preservation in the community. Registration is required and lunch will be provided. Members of historic landmark commissions, government officials and the general public are encouraged to attend.
“We are pleased to offer this local training opportunity,” said Susan Pierce, deputy state historic preservation officer. “Historic landmark commissions provide leadership in their communities to help educate the public about historic resources and advocate for their protection. The statewide comprehensive historic preservation plan recognizes the important role local organizations can play in the preservation of historic resources.”
The workshops, led by Sara Prior, education and planning coordinator for the SHPO, will provide detailed information on programs and suggestions for promoting historic preservation within the community. Topics will include certified local government designation, meeting procedures, roles and responsibilities of historic landmark commissions, financial incentives, National Register of Historic Places and Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The Raleigh County and Beckley Historic Landmark Commissions will co-host the first workshop on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial Theatre in Beckley. To register, contact David Sibray, president of the Beckley Historic Landmark Commission, at (304) 575 -8562.
The City of Romney – Historic Landmark Commission will co-host the next workshop on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hampshire County Library, 153 West Main Street, Romney. To register, contact Eilene Johnson at (304) 822-5118.
Additional workshops will be scheduled at a later date. “The SHPO is accepting invitations from organizations to help host a session.” said Pierce. Those interested should contact Prior at (304) 558-0240 or by email at Sara.A.Prior@wv.gov .
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History, an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. Its administrative offices, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, are located at the Culture Center in the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, which also houses the state archives and state museum. The Culture Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. The agency also operates a network of museums and historic sites across the state. For more information about the Division’s programs, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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