Coming November 14: Kickoff Event for the Shenandoah Valley Tapestry Project

Shenandoah Valley Tapestry

Margaretta Barton Colt will speak about her experiences writing “Defend the Valley” and how it inspired Duff’s painting which showcases many of the buildings that are referenced in the book and are familiar landmarks in Winchester and Frederick County. Colt will also share her new memoir, “Martial Bliss: The Story of The Military Bookman”, which describes the Colts’ antiquarian bookstore and how it provided the impetus for writing “Defend the Valley.” An exhibit of artwork to highlight many of the talented people working on the tapestry as well as other members of the community will be on display from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the lower level of Handley Library. Event goers will be able to admire the artwork before and after Colt’s presentation. Attendees will also be able to take a stitch and sign their name in the “Shenandoah Valley Tapestry- A Journey through Time” log book. Those who attend the event will see which historical homes and buildings will be stitched in the tapestry and also have the option to adopt one. The Winchester Book Gallery will provide copies of Colt’s book which will be available to purchase.

Date: November 14, 2015
Time: The Stitch in Time art exhibit will be displayed from noon-5 PM
A Journey Through Time with author Margaretta Barton Colt will start at 2 PM
Location: Handley Library, Lower Level, 100 West Piccadilly Street
This event is free and open to the public!

Action Needed: Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2015

Via the AIA Advocacy Team:

Congressional champions of historic preservation need your help in protecting and strengthening the Historic Tax Credit. Last week, Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2015, a bill that makes the credit work even better and increases its economic impact.

This bill comes at a critical time for the HTC: members of Congress are moving quickly to overhaul our nation’s tax code, and in the process are looking to cut and even eliminate a significant number of deductions, credits, and other incentives. That means every tax credit is on the table for elimination, a fact that became abundantly clear in the last session of Congress when a proposal to do away with the Historic Tax Credit was brought forward.

That’s why Reps. Kelly and Blumenauer need your help in convincing their House colleagues to support their legislation, which would increase the rehabilitation credit for certain small projects, clarify IRS rules regarding federal tax treatment of state HTCs, expand the credit to include certain moderate rehabilitation projects, and several other key changes to bring the credit into the 21st century.

Urge your representative to support this market-based incentive with a proven economic track record. Please contact your legislator today and ask them to cosponsor and support the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2015.

For most of us, our representative is Barbara Comstock. You may check your representative by inputting your zip code at Find Your Representative. If you are a member of AIA, there is a form letter available to you at the AIA Advocacy Center (membership required).

Friday Photos: Scenes from a Speakeasy

Just one week ago, PHW put together a speakeasy-themed Memberfest celebration. The event was a huge success, with over 70 guests in attendance at various points in the evening. Thank you to our hosts at Below the Fringe for the perfect speakeasy location, The Bob Larson Trio for the evening of jazz, and the crew from the Winchester Little Theatre who helped with check ins and performed the readings.

If you missed the fun, enjoy a few images of the event on Flickr.

PHW Speakeasy Memberfest

Mark Your Calendars: Next Lecture on Douglas School Set for Nov. 12

Douglas SchoolPreservation of Historic Winchester invites you to a “Lunch and Learn” Lecture “History of Douglas School-Winchester, Virginia,” presented by Judy Humbert. She will talk informally about the history of the school and the creation of the book she co-authored with June Gaskins-Davis, “History of Douglas School Winchester, Virginia: A Tribute to Endurance, Belief, Perseverance, and Success.”

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015

Time: Noon-1 p.m.

Location: June E. Jeffrey Education Center at OakCrest Companies, 126 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA. The Education Center is at the upper parking lot, in the addition closest to the Winchester Star building.

Cost: The Lunch and Learn lectures are free and open to the public!

RSVPs: Appreciated but not required.

Parking: There is no off-street parking available at OakCrest. We recommend utilizing the George Washington Autopark at 131 N. Kent St.

Questions? phwi@verizon.net or 540-667-3577

Journey to Germany: The Hite Heartland A Tour Sponsored by Belle Grove Plantation in 2016

Via our friends at Belle Grove, notice of a special trip in the works to Germany to visit the homeland of some of Winchester’s earliest settlers, the Hite family. 12 participants are necessary for this tour to take place, but 16 would be ideal. The deadline for sign-up is December 1, 2015. If you are interested, email Kristen Laise at klaise@bellegrove.org.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber

When: Departure date no earlier than May 20 and no later than June 1, 2016

How long: 10 days—9 nights in Germany at 4-star small hotels

Where: German states of Baden Wuerttemberg and Bavaria (detail below)

House where Jost Hite lived in Bonfeld
House where Jost Hite lived in Bonfeld

For whom: Not only Jost Hite descendants, but anyone interested in travel in Germany! Travelers need not be young, but they must be able-bodied, as there is walking that includes hilly cobblestone streets and steps.

Who is guiding: Board member Katharine Brown and her husband Madison, German speakers who have led 13 group tours to this part of Germany for the Germanna Foundation since 2003.

What is the cost: $4,300 per person with shared double rooms. Includes round-trip airfare from Washington/Dulles via Icelandair; ground transportation by van in Germany; 9 nights at 4-star hotels in Germany; all meals except one lunch on your own in Rothenburg, wine or beer with dinner each night; all admissions to sites and museums we visit; and a tax-deductible donation to Belle Grove.

Additional Details: The guides have found competitive prices on Icelandair and the flight will have a layover there. Should you wish to travel to Iceland on your own before or after the group trip in Germany, your airline ticket can be arranged accordingly.

Some Itinerary Details
Continue reading Journey to Germany: The Hite Heartland A Tour Sponsored by Belle Grove Plantation in 2016

The Speakeasy Is Tonight! Here’s What You Need to Know.

Memberfest 2015

Time: 6-10 PM

Place: 137 South Loudoun Street. Look for the fence with the PHW banner. The speakeasy will be held in the basement of this building.

Parking: The Palace and Hable lots off Indian Alley and the Cork Street lot at the corner of Cork and Loudoun Streets are the closest public parking lots to the event venue. These lots are FREE to park in after 6 PM. Map of downtown parking lots.

Admission: There will be an outdoor admission table with staff for check ins. If your PHW membership dues are current, you need only give your name (or your business name, if you are a small business/corporate member) to be checked in.
If you need to pay dues:
You may pay your dues on PayPal prior to coming to the event. Bring your receipt from PayPal as proof of purchase for any renewals made today. We will NOT have access to PayPal to verify your purchase at the event venue.
We will be accepting cash or checks only at the door tonight. Exact change is preferred!

Event Capacity: There is room for approximately 50 attendees inside the event. Please feel free to leave the event for a time and have dinner or walk around the downtown.

Entertainment: The Bob Larson Trio will play between 7-10 PM. The stories of Winchester’s time as a dry town will be read in two sections, one at 8 PM and one at 9 PM.

Silent Auction Items: In addition to the three prints (framed Ruth’s Tea Room, 1968 by Jane Caspar, framed George Washington’s Office by Eugene B. Smith, and Winchester Celebrates signed artist proof by Don Black), there will also be four gift baskets, with 1920s themed goodies and snacks, custom items with our attractive flapper poster girl from the event advertising, a Winchester: Limestone, Sycamores & Architecture book, Holiday House Tour Preview Party tickets, and more! You need not be present at the end of the evening for your high bid to win.

Please note: The PHW office will be closing around 4 PM on Friday to begin the event setup. We will not be available to answer emails or phone calls after this time.

Coming Next Week: PHW Lunch and Learn Lecture, Oct. 22

LecturesPlease join us on Thursday, October 22 for a two-part lecture “Expansion of the Winchester National Register Historic District” and “National Avenue Corridor Enhancement District” presented by Timothy Youmans, Director of Winchester City Planning and Zoning.

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2015
Time: Noon-1 p.m.
Location: June E. Jeffrey Education Center at OakCrest Companies, 126 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA. The Education Center is at the upper parking lot, in the addition closest to the Winchester Star building.
Cost: The Lunch and Learn lectures are free and open to the public!
RSVPs: Appreciated but not required.

Parking: There is no off-street parking available at OakCrest. We recommend utilizing the George Washington Autopark at 131 N. Kent St.

Questions? phwi@verizon.net or 540-667-3577

PHW’s Silent Auction Items at Memberfest

PHW is pleased to bring you a preview of some of the items which will be available at the silent auction on October 23 as part of PHW’s Memberfest.

A framed Ruth’s Tea Room, 1968 print by Jane Caspar, 41/50
Ruth's Tea Room

A Eugene B. Smith print of George Washington’s Office
George Washington's Office

A signed artist’s proof 5/20 of Winchester Celebrates by Don Black, 1996
Winchester Celebrates

As well as several themed gift baskets for 1920s Christmas gifts and architectural goodies from PHW.

Please note we had reported incorrectly last week the items at Memberfest would be raffled; all items will be sold at silent auction.

“New Techniques to Save Historic Masonry Structures” on YouTube

The October 8 PHW Lunch and Learn Lecture “New Techniques to Save Historic Masonry Structures” presented by Andrew Markopoulos of Masonry Solutions International and Donald Harvey Jr. of Atkinson Noland and Associates is now on YouTube for repeat viewing. The audio was recorded live at the lecture and contains much of the audience participation and questions. The images are from the case studies available at Masonry Solutions International, www.masonrysolutions.com.

Remember to mark your calendars for the next lecture on October 22, a two-part lecture “Expansion of the Winchester National Register Historic District” and “National Avenue Corridor Enhancement District” presented by Timothy Youmans, Director of Winchester City Planning and Zoning.

Friday Photos: Before and After

This Friday, we bring you a selection of various buildings before and after renovation. The selection includes outbuildings and rear additions at 812 Amherst St. documented before demolition, Rose Hill Manor House before restoration, the dramatic rehabilitation of 120 E. Pall Mall Street in 1981, and a selection of photos along Piccadilly Street. See them all at the top of PHW’s Flickr Photostream, or check out the individual albums to view by street (new items are added at the end).
120 E. Pall Mall Street