2009 INSIGHT Citizen’s Academy

Get to know your local government! This 12-week INSIGHT Citizen’s Academy provides area residents an opportunity to discover their City government through interactive, hands-on experience and to gain exposure to the wide range of government services, programs, functions and challenges. You do not have to be a city resident to participate. All you need is an interest in the way City government operates!

To ensure a spot in the program, please register by August 12, 2009 using one of the following options:

1. Complete the online INSIGHT Registration Form.
2. Print the INSIGHT brochure and mail the completed form.
3. Call Amy Simmons (533-0603).

There is no charge to participate in the program. For more information, visit http://www.winchesterva.gov/insight/.

Unveiling Plans to Restore Patsy Cline’s Home

Celebrating Patsy Cline, Inc. (CPC) is pleased to unveil its plans to restore 608 South Kent Street in Winchester, the home of country music legend, Patsy Cline.

At the core of a phased-in Patsy Cline presence in Winchester, the historic home will portray the story of Patsy’s Winchester years with accurate historic furnishings and historic imagery. CPC and its partners will build a radiating network of public programs, tours, and special event throughout the Winchester region to celebrate the life and legacy of Patsy Cline. Click here for more information.
Continue reading Unveiling Plans to Restore Patsy Cline’s Home

Civil War Walking Tours

Winchester, Stephens City, and Middletown are all offering guided walking Civil War tours from June through October. Click here for the brochure! Reservations are required, and tours cost $5 per person.

Old Town Winchester Tours
1st Fridays, 6:00pm
2nd Saturdays, 10:00am
For reservations call 540-542-1326
Meet your guide at the Kurtz Building, 2 N. Cameron St.

Stephens City Tours
4th Saturdays, 10:30am
For reservations call 540-869-1700
Meet your guide at the Newtown History Center, 5408 Main St.

Middletown Tours
3rd Saturdays, 11:00am
For reservations call 540-869-6998
Meet your guide at the Farmers’ Market, 2325 First St.

Buy a Brick for Patsy Cline

Celebrating Patsy Cline is raising money to help with the restoration of the Patsy Cline Historic House at 608 South Kent Street by selling bricks that will be placed on the sidewalk in front of the house. Each brick will be engraved with the name of your choice and used in the permanent outdoor landscape.

45th Annual Meeting Wrap Up

PHW’s Annual Meeting on Sunday was a terrific success. The event, held on the rear lawn of the Hexagon House, reviewed fiscal year 2008-2009. PHW welcomed four new members to the Board this year – Karen Clay, Rob Hustick, Mark Lore, and Dan McCoig – as well as welcoming Richard Bell as PHW’s next President. Frank Wright remains on the Board in the Past President position. All other officer positions remain the same.

PHW’s 45th Annual Meeting

Join PHW at the Hexagon House (530 Amherst Street) on June 28th at 3 p.m. for our 45th Annual Meeting. Richard Bell, PHW’s incoming President, will review the past year, conduct the election of board members, and present the 2009 Annual Awards. Afterwards, join us for a reception inside the Hexagon House. The presentation will be held in the rear yard of the Hexagon House, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside.

Remember, only current PHW members may vote in the election – contact the PHW office to check the status of your membership or renew the day of the event!

Greenway Court Fundraising

Last year, when the Northern Shenandoah Valley Branch of Preservation Virginia was organized, the group chose as its initial direct service project the coordination of efforts to stabilize the three remaining buildings at Lord Fairfax’s Greenway Court in Clarke County. Of the three buildings, the stone Land Office is particularly at risk, as it has a major structural crack. The group received a $47,500 grant from the General Assembly to aid in the stabilization. To date, the NSV Branch has raised nearly $24,500, but still need an additional $23,000 in order to secure the grant funding.

The deadline for fundraising is June 25. If you would like to make a contribution, please make your checks payable to: “Preservation Virginia – NSV Branch”, with memo note “Greenway Court fund”, and send to P.O. Box 14, Boyce, VA 22620.

Please see the brochure for more information on Greenway Court.

Guided Civil War Tours

They’re back! Guided Civil War tours will be offered on First Fridays in downtown Winchester from June through October. The tours will begin at 6 pm and guides will meet in front of the Kurtz Building at 2 N. Cameron Street. Reservations are required and should be made in advance by calling 540-542-1326. The fee is $5 per person.

This Place Matters Photo Campaign

Last year, the National Trust started a campaign called “This Place Matters.” It is a simple campaign: Take a photo of yourself in front of a place that is significant to you. Share why your place matters – be it a nationally recognizable landmark or your favorite local diner, they are all priceless to you, and we want to hear your story.

This year, Preservation of Historic Winchester is asking you to do the same. Here’s how you can share your significant place with us:
Continue reading This Place Matters Photo Campaign

1976 Architectural Survey Images

With the first third of the Winchester National Register District Survey completed, PHW would like to share some images from the 1976 survey as we update to the new survey forms here at the office. East Boscawen Street (from the Loudoun Street Walking Mall to the Mt. Hebron Cemetery Gatehouse) is currently online. Cameron Street will likely be added next. Enjoy this “blast from the past!”