Winchester Underground

Winchester Underground returns on April 19 for a tour of several properties along South Kent Street. Tours will be docent-led inside the properties. The tour is geared toward rarely seen gems that are not open to the public, or are “works in progress” to show historic preservation in action. It is the theme of progress that brings PHW to Kent Street in 2008. A sense of renewal and promise follows you as you travel down South Kent Street and admire the turn of the century vernacular architecture. So come aboard the Winchester Underground—our next stop is South Kent Street!

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Public Presentation

A public presentation by officials from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and EHT Traceries will be held on February 14 at 7 pm in Council Chambers at Rouss City Hall. The presentation will explain the steps necessary to complete an exterior survey of buildings in Winchester’s Historic District. You are invited to attend and ask questions.

Preservation of Historic Winchester Files an Appeal to the Kent Street Demolition Decision

Winchester, Va. – Today Preservation of Historic Winchester (PHW) announced that it has filed an appeal with the Winchester Circuit Court to the decision made by the Winchester City Council allowing the demolition of five structures on the 400 block of South Kent Street. All of these structures are located in the Historic Winchester District as well as the Winchester National Historic District and are designated as contributing to the purposes of the district. In filing the appeal, Franklin Wright, President of the Board of Directors of PHW remarked “Regretfully, PHW is taking this action following considerable soul-searching and thought. However, we believe that the action by City Council on November 13th to overrule the Board of Architectural Review’s denial of the demolition of these structures is flawed and not in the best interest of the city or its residents.”
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Holiday House Tour

Preservation of Historic Winchester is pleased to announce the locations of the 31st annual Holiday House Tour. This staple of Winchester’s holiday celebrations will take place on December 1st and 2nd with 6 homes and historic buildings in and adjacent to the Historic District. Click here for a brochure. The Preview Party and Candlelight Tour will be held 6-9 p.m. on December 1. The Party will be held at 119 S. Washington Street, the home of Walter Jackson Helm, Jr. Tickets to the Preview Party are $35 per person and require advance registration. The Daylight Tour on Sunday will be held noon to 5 p.m. Advance tickets may be purchased for $15, or $20 at the door on the day of the tour. Children twelve and under are $6. Advance tickets will be sold at Kimberly’s, The Country Store, The Final Yard, Celebrate!, Winchester Book Gallery, and the PHW office at the Hexagon House. Continue reading Holiday House Tour

City Council Hearing

The Rose Foundation will be appealing the decision of the BAR to deny the demolition requests of 404, 406, 412 1/2-414, and 418 S. Kent Street. The hearing will take place at Rouss City Hall at 7:30 p.m. This event is a public hearing, so you are encouraged to attend and state your case.

The City Council overturned the decision of the BAR despite strong opposition from PHW representatives, The Department of Historic Resources, and BAR members. However, the properties are currently listed for sale. Watch PHW for more news about the Kent Street Properties.

Preservation News

A portion of the flat roof on the Taylor Hotel has collapsed under the weight of improperly draining rainwater on Thursday, October 25. The Taylor Hotel is a Winchester and Civil War landmark.

A structural assessment of the building has determined the front and back portions are structurally sound, and the owners intend to renovate.

Memberfest and Open House

PHW and The Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley hosted Memberfest and an Open House on October 13 from 4-6 p.m. at the Hexagon House. This year, PHW celebrated the one year anniversary of its return to the Hexagon House and welcomed its new upstairs neighbors, The Community Foundation of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. The event attracted approximately 100 party goers to socialize and catch up with old friends and new acquaintances. Memberfest marked the first time the second story has been open to the public for an event in more than twenty years.