Events and Activities
Throughout the year, PHW sponsors, hosts, or participates in events. Below is a sampling of some of the more common activities PHW hosts for the community:
"Limestone, Sycamores, and Preservation" Lecture Series
The lecture series focuses on preservation techniques for older houses or overall information about preservation issues facing Winchester's Historic District. Lectures to date have covered the use of lime mortar, streetscape and tree preservation during utility work, historic tax credits, and sustainability for historic buildings. These events are generally free and open to the public. Do you have a suggestion for a lecture series topic or a speaker you would enjoy hearing lecture? Please let us know!
Winchester Underground
The Winchester Underground tours are held through from spring until early fall and focus on highlighting buildings not normally open to the public, or works of preservation and adaptive reuse in progress. Underground tours are typically low cost, family-friendly tours. Past locations have included the Hiram Masonic Lodge, the Lewis Jones Knitting Mill, the Lovett Building, several rehabilitated homes along South Kent Street, ZeroPak, Winchester Cold Storage, and National Fruit. We are always looking for new locations for tours; if you have a suggestion for a tour location or theme, drop us note!
National Preservation Month
May is National Preservation Month, and as part of the nationwide celebration, PHW continues its tradition of awarding deserving local projects and preservation leaders a myriad of awards. Nomination forms are typically available on the web and in PHW's printed newsletter in early May. The awards are presented at PHW's Annual Meeting in June.
In addition to the awards, PHW typically hosts some fun activities to tie in with National Preservation Month activities, such as scavenger hunts, Underground tours, links to national preservation activities, or photo campaigns like "This Place Matters".
Annual Meeting
June is PHW's designated month for the Annual Membership Meeting. The meeting, open to current PHW members, is generally hosted in a restored building. PHW's President and Treasurer report on the activities of the past year and the goals for the next. Guest speakers are sometimes invited to speak on a pertinant preservation topic. The election of new board members and presentation of the 2009 awards wraps up the business portion of the meeting, and PHW members are encouraged to mingle and socialize at a light reception.
Memberfest/Membership Appreciation Night
Memberfest is usually held in October. It is a free event open to current PHW members as a thank you for their ongoing support of the organization. The event is typically held in the evening at a private residence.
Holiday House Tour
PHW's signature fundraising event is the Holiday House Tour, held the first full weekend in December. The tour concsists of five or six houses. Saturday night is the Preview Party and Candlelight tour with limited guest space. Sunday is the Daylight tour, the main event of the weekend. The Bough and Dough Shop, selling handmade goods and baked items as well as freshly cut greens for your decorating need, is also open during the weekend of the tour. The Holiday House tour has its own page of information here. We are always in need of volunteers to act as docents, chair houses, and help decorate. We would also love to hear your suggestions for possible tour locations!
Annual Revolving Fund Property Review
PHW maintains covenants or easements on approximately eighty buildings in Winchester. The majority are located inside Winchester's Historic District; a listing may be found here on PHW's website.. As part of PHW's obligation as covenant holder, each property is surveyed once a year and letters are sent to the homeowners. Typically, the survey includes one photograph and inspection from the street to document current conditions in late December to January. Letters are mailed to the homeowners to confirm the survey after a review by PHW's Revolving Fund Steering Committee.
