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 to enlarge.
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!

Courage Lauded in Saving the Taylor

This open letter from PHW’s President Franklin Wright appears in today’s issue of the Winchester Star.

What wonderful and overdue news about the Taylor Hotel!

Many despaired anything — other than demolition — would be done with the Taylor. The grim shell greeted residents and visitors alike as a rebuke to a city that prides itself on its attention to its architectural heritage. A convoluted ownership and entangling financing agreements led to seemingly endless delays — all while the building continued to deteriorate.

This was not a “vision thing.” Everyone could see what the Taylor once was, and could imagine what it might yet be. What was needed was courage — political courage to do what had to be done — to save the centerpiece of Old Town. The city has met that challenge. Our congratulations to the City Council, the city staff, and the Economic Development Authority and its director for achieving what seemed was the impossible task of saving the Taylor Hotel.

I predict this achievement will be one of those council members will look back on and mark it as one of their finest accomplishments. I know it will be so viewed by the present and future residents of Winchester.

We realize this is merely the first step on a long journey, and many challenges lie ahead. But Preservation of Historic Winchester commits to helping the city and the property owners realize the full potential of the Old Taylor.

FRANKLIN WRIGHT President Preservation of Historic Winchester

Read more Open Forum letters at www.winchesterstar.com.

Office Closed on Friday

The PHW office will be closed on Friday, April 6 for the Easter holiday. Normal office hours will resume Monday, April 9. You may still place ticket reservations for “Manhattan(s) in Winchester” via voicemail at (540) 667-3577, email at phwi@verizon.net, or purchase via Paypal over the holiday weekend. But hurry — only 15 tickets remain!

The lovely vintage Easter card is part of the e-card collection at CardCow.com.

Good News for the Taylor Hotel

The City of Winchester has received funding approval for the 108 HUD loan application for the Taylor Hotel project. According to the City, the acquisition of the property should occur within 30-60 days. Immediately thereafter, work will begin to stabilize the existing structure (historic front portion along Loudoun Street and the rear tower on Indian Alley) and demolish portions of the property that have collapsed.

Vic Bradshaw of the Winchester Star reports:

A second phase of the $3.85 million project will result in the creation of 7,000 square feet of commercial space, five apartments, an entertainment pavilion and a covered farmers market area. In a third phase, 12,000 square feet would be developed as condominiums.

Completion of the first two phases is expected to take 18 to 24 months, [Jim] Deskins said.

“I think ultimately it’s going to be tremendous,” he said of the entire project. “This will be moving the city toward the completion of City Council’s goal of enhancing the downtown area and addressing a blighted building that sits right smack dab in the middle of downtown.”

Read the rest of the article at www.winchesterstar.com (login required).

For more information, please contact Jim Deskins, Director of Economic Redevelopment, at (540) 667-1815.

Manhattan(s) in Winchester, April 14

Please join Preservation of Historic Winchester for Manhattan(s) in Winchester Saturday, April 14, 7 p.m. at the home of Dr. Peter Bullough, President of the Board of Trustees, Glass-Glen Burnie Foundation. Dr. Bullough, formerly of Manhattan, will graciously open his homes and gardens at 120 and 122 West Cork Street for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to benefit PHW.

Space is limited, so only the first 60 paid reservations can be accommodated. Don’t delay – this is an opportunity not likely to be repeated. RSVP by mail or at (540 ) 667-3577 or buy your tickets online via Paypal. Admission is $50 per person.

Thanks to our sponsor Reader & Swartz Architects, P.C. for making this event possible!

Continue reading Manhattan(s) in Winchester, April 14