HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-15-2012 - 4aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 15, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No. ~-- -- Q
SUBJECT: National Historic Preservation Month
DEPARTMENT: Department of Environment,
Agriculture, Parks and
Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Stancil, 245-2522
Rich Shaw, 245-2514
PURPOSE: To proclaim May as National Historic Preservation Month in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The National Trust for Historic Preservation is celebrating May as National
Historic Preservation Month. This year's theme is "DiscoverAmerica's Hidden Gems':
Since 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has celebrated May as National Historic
Preservation Month, encouraging communities large and small to celebrate their rich, diverse
heritage and draw more Americans into the growing national preservation movement.
Communities from coast to coast are filled with unexplored historic treasures. The National
Trust for Historic Preservation encourages local governments and their historic preservation
commissions to reach out to a growing audience of neighbors, tourists, students and
preservationists by promoting historic places in communities, and encouraging newcomers to
learn more about local preservation programs.
Orange County has many historic treasures, and May is a particularly good month to celebrate
them. Special places like Ayr Mount, Burwell School, Forest Theater, the Occoneechee Village
site, Horace Williams House, Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, Margaret Lane Cemetery,
and the Orange County Museum are just some of the places waiting for residents and visitors to
see what riches they have to offer.
On May 3 the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) convened a Historic
Preservation Summit at the historic Orange County Courthouse. Local preservation groups
throughout the county met in Hillsborough to share information about what they are doing and
to identify opportunities to collaborate on projects of mutual interest. The summit followed up
on a similar event held in 2009.
National Historic Preservation Month offers an opportunity for Orange County and local partners
to reflect on successful efforts to preserve the built environment and associated heritage. In
2
2007, the National Trust selected the Town of Hillsborough as one of America's Dozen
Distinctive Destinations, and in 2011 the Trust selected the Town of Chapel Hill for the same
honor. Of the five North Carolina municipalities that have received this honor, two are in
Orange County.
Orange County's current historic preservation activities include the following:
• Convening a Historic Preservation Summit on May 3, 2012 for historic preservation
organizations to share information and collaborate on projects of mutual interest;
• Setting up a booth at the Town of Hillsborough's Last Friday's event on May 25 with
materials on the County's Local Landmark Program, an honorary designation program
for local properties with historic and architectural significance;
• Funding a cultural and archaeological survey of the future Hollow Rock Access Area,
with a matching grant from the NC Department of Cultural Resources;
• Maintaining many historic and culturally-significant buildings at County park sites,
demonstrating the County's commitment to historic resource stewardship and
recognizing that many of these buildings are irreplaceable assets; and
• Including a chapter on cultural and historic resources in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
These examples represent a sample of the County's efforts to promote the importance of
cultural heritage and to use history as well as preservation for local economic development,
such as tourism, coalition building and making Orange County a destination.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the
proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) approve the
proclamation designating the month of May as National Historic Preservation Month with the
theme, "Discover America's Hidden Gems"; and 2) extend an invitation to the public to learn
about the many important historic sites located throughout Orange County.
3
PROCLAMATION
OF
THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH
WHEREAS, historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing
neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing
livability; and
WHEREAS, historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and
rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic and cultural backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, it is important to celebrate the role of history in our lives and the contributions made
by dedicated individuals in helping to preserve the tangible aspects of the heritage that has
shaped us as a people; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is a strong advocate for the protection of cultural and
archaeological resources, and continues to pursue partnership opportunities to preserve these
important and often irreplaceable resources, to seek new and innovative ways to make local
history engaging to the public, and to encourage others to do the same; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has demonstrated its commitment to historic preservation by using
the restored Alexander Dickson House in Hillsborough as a visitor center, conserving the
farmsteads at future county parks, including a cultural resources component to the 2030
Comprehensive Plan, and designating important properties with historic and architectural
significance as local landmarks; and
WHEREAS, "Discover America's Hidden Gems" is the theme for National Historic Preservation
Month 2012, cosponsored by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, the Orange County
Historic Preservation Commission, the Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange
County, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and the National Trust for Historic Preservation;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May
2012 as National Historic Preservation Month and call upon the people of Orange County to join
their fellow residents across the United States in recognizing and participating in this special
observance.
This the 15th day of May, 2012.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board