Cultural Resource Survey of Historic Winchester to Begin November 2010

EHT Traceries, Inc., in concert with Maral S. Kalbian, LLC, is pleased to be conducting the Survey of Buildings and Properties within the National Register Winchester Historic District. The project is possible thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, plus a shared sponsorship from Preservation of Historic Winchester, Inc. and the City of Winchester, both of which contributed $12,500 to the project. The objective of this project is to document the remaining 600-800 properties in the historic district, beginning on the east side of Loudoun Street, where the 2008 survey concluded, and moving westward.

Continue reading Cultural Resource Survey of Historic Winchester to Begin November 2010

“When This You See Remember Me…”

The Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society and Shenandoah University Community History Project are presenting the program “When This You See Remember Me…Schoolgirl Samplers of Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia.”  The program, presented by Dr. David Powers, will be held October 18 at 7 PM at Stimpson Auditorium/Halpin-Harrison Hall, Byrd Business School, adjacent to the Abram’s Delight Museum on Pleasant Valley Road.

Following the program is a reception at Hollingsworth Mill.  Mary H. Robare, author of the companion book and guest curator, will be available for book signings and a personal tour of the exhibit.

Call the WFCHS at 540-662-6550 for more information on this program.

Patsy Day, September 4

Celebrating Patsy Cline will commemorate the 78th birthday of the legendary singer with a block party on Saturday, September 4, from 10 AM to 6 PM. Activities will take place outside the Cline home at 608 S. Kent St., rain or shine.

The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted to aid in the restoration of the home.

For more information on the event, visit the Winchester Star (login required) or Celebrating Patsy Cline, or  call 888-608-2726.

Community Food Store Slated for Demolition

Vic Bradshaw reported on the fate of the Community Food Store, 319-321 S. Kent St.:

. . . Hobbs’s response provides an answer to why the Community Food Store building is still standing – money to rebuild on the site could not be obtained. The structure, at Kent and Cecil streets, could be gone by year’s end, however. The City Council has begun action to declare it blighted and tear it down.

Read the full article at the Winchester Star (login required).

PHW representatives toured the building prior to the public hearing for demolition.  While the building tells a key story in the development and history of the neighborhood, the cost of the necessary stabilization made the project financially unfeasible.  PHW did not oppose the demolition of the structure given that the state of neglect and compromised structural integrity would make the project financially unfeasible.

The fate of the Community Food Store,  like Ruth’s Tea Room before it, is a sobering reminder that  important pieces of history may become empty lots when faced against demolition by neglect.

2010 Virginia Preservation Conference

The 25th Annual Virginia Preservation Conference “Playing for Keeps: Challenges and Benefits of Heritage Stewardship” will be held September 20 and 21, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel, Hampton, VA.

To view the conference schedule, programs, APA credit opportunities, and admission costs, please visit the Preservation Virginia website at www.preservationvirginia.org/.

Living Diaries at the Newtown History Center

The Newtown History Center will host “Living Diaries” for Civil War Weekend, September 18 and 19.  The event at the Newtown History Center, 5408 Main St in Stephens City, will be held Saturday, September 18 from 10 AM to 4 PM, and again on Sunday, September 19, from 1 PM to 5 PM. Weekend activities include a quilt raffle, Civil War era accessories for sale, a bake sale, lawn games and period toys, a nurse’s station and laundry demonstration, and Civil War period cooking and crafts.

The outdoor events feature free admission, while admission to the indoor museum will be $1 for children, $2 for adults, or $5 for a family. Quilt raffle tickets are $10 each. Call 540-869-1700 or visit the Newtown History Center to purchase tickets or for more information. Visit the Newtown History Center online at www.newtownhistorycenter.org.

Civil War Weekend in Winchester

The Civil War Weekend, September 18 and 19, is a weekend-long collection of activities and events. Activities in Winchester include:

  • Walking tour of Mt. Hebron Cemetery
  • Living history programs at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Rose Hill Farm, Old Court House Civil War Museum, and the Stonewall Jackson Headquarters Museum.
  • Battlefield tours at Kernstown and Third Winchester.

For more in depth information on each event, including times and locations and contact information, visit  Shenandoah At War.

Shenandoah Moonlight Ball on July 24

The Shenandoah Moonlight Ball will be held on the Old Town Mall at the Civil War Museum lawn tomorrow, July 24 from 6-10 pm. Wear your favorite Civil War, formal or casual attire and enjoy 19th century music by the Susquehanna Travellers and period dance instruction by the Victorian Dance Ensemble. Inclement weather location: 1st Pres. Church (116 S. Loudoun Street). This event is free!