HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-05-2015 - 4a
1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date:May 5, 2015
Action Agenda
Item No.4-a
SUBJECT:
Historic Preservation Monthin Orange County
DEPARTMENT:PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N)No
Department of Environment,
Agriculture, Parks and
Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENT(S):INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation
Peter Sandbeck,245-2517
PURPOSE:
To proclaim May as Historic Preservation Month in Orange County.
BACKGROUND:
Each May, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) asks the BOCCto
adopt a proclamationdeclaring May to be Historic Preservation Month in Orange County as a
means of publicizing and promoting the many historicpreservation efforts now taking place
throughout the county. Non-profit groups and governments across the country observe May as
Historic Preservation Month.
Historic PreservationMonth offers an opportunity for the County and its local partners in
Hillsborough and Chapel Hill to reach out to a residents, visitors, students and preservationists
by promoting greater awareness of historic places in thecommunity and sharing information
about local preservation projects and programs.
Orange Countycan take pride in the manyhistoric preservation activities now underway or
recently accomplishedby the Countyandthe HPC, including:
Partnering with the Town of Hillsborough on amulti-year projectto produce a new
illustrated publication or guidebook to highlight the County’s historic buildings and
farmsteads, with funding assistance from the State Historic Preservation Office;
Updating the County’s historic resources inventory, first completed in 1993 and updated
in 2006, as a first step in the project to develop a book;
Partnering with the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough (Alliance) and Preservation Chapel
Hill to host programs and toursabout theCounty’s history, archaeology and historic
resources;
Initiating a project to rebuild thereplica Occaneechi Village in River Park, working with
Occaneechi tribal leaders as well as the Town of Hillsborough and the Alliance;
Developing a regular tour of the historic Old Courthouse in partnership with the Alliance;
2
Initiating the renovation of the historic Cedar Grove School to serve as a new community
center for residents of the northern part of the County, to include an exhibit interpreting
the history of the school and the surrounding African-American community;
Preparing to open the Blackwood Farm as the newest County park, to include a major
focus on interpreting the history of farming, farm life and the many historic resources
located on the park property;
These examples represent just a sample of the County’s current efforts to promote the
importance of its cultural heritageand its historic resources.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDATION(S):
The Manager recommends that the Board approveand authorize the
Chair to signthe proclamationdesignating May as Historic Preservation Month in Orange
County and recommends the Board extend an invitation to the public to support the
preservation of the County’s irreplaceable historic and archaeological resources.
3
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH IN ORANGE COUNTY
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS
, Orange County can be proud of its long history of recognizing and protecting its rich
historic and archaeological resources through the dedicated efforts of individuals, non-profit groups,
municipal and county governments; and
WHEREAS
, Orange County partners with the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, Preservation Chapel
Hill,and other non-profit groups and local governments to preserve these important,and often
irreplaceable,resources; and
WHEREAS,
Orange County has demonstrated its commitment to historic preservation by using the
restored Alexander Dickson House in Hillsborough as a visitor center, repairing and restoring historic
farmsteads at future county park sites, preserving the historic Old County Courthouse, and designating
important properties with historic and architectural significance as local landmarks; and
WHEREAS
, Orange County recently renovatedthe formerauditorium in the Whitted Centerfor use as a
permanent meeting room for the Board of County Commissionersand is presently renovating the Cedar
Grove School for new use as a community center, thereby ensuring the preservation of these historic
school buildings for enjoyment and use by all residents; and
WHEREAS
, Orange County government works actively to protect its own archaeological and cultural
resources during County-funded construction projects through a “Cultural and Archaeological Policy”
that serves as a model for other counties in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS
, the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission has obtained grant funding for a
project to permanently document the County’s historic resources by producing a book depicting its
historic houses and farmsteads, in partnership with the Town of Hillsborough and the State Historic
Preservation Office; and
WHEREAS
, historic preservation is an effective tool for fostering local pride and maintaining
community and rural character while enhancing livability; and
WHEREAS
, historic preservation is relevant for all residents of Orange County, both urban and rural, of
all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
NOW THEREFORE,
we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners,do hereby proclaim May 2015
as Historic Preservation Month and call upon the people of Orange County to join their fellow residents in
recognizing and participating in this special observance.
th
This the 5 day of May, 2015.
_____________________________________
Earl McKee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
______________________________________________
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board