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Old buildings and the DAHP
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I spent hours on the phone Thursday talking to Greg Griffith at the Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and Leslie Jones at TEDD. At usual, the to-do list is longer than the original question list. Nevertheless I feel like a status report is in order. A note on technique. I had to call both of these people. They didn't answer emails or place phone calls. But let me emphasize that they were both very helpful, informed, congenial and (by inference) overworked.
The two burning questions (in my mind) are 1) How can we accept financial contributions to our grant project right now and count them in the application and 2) How should a research grant application be structured? Neither conversation was much help on either question.
What is evident, is that despite Preserve America itself being not about buildings, most of what is being done at the State level is all about buildings. With cultural assets that are underwater (old towns), sensitive to disturbance (Indian habitations) or remote and somewhat dangerous (old mines) we are going to have a tough time of it.
The DAHP relies heavily on its inventory of historic structures and culturally significant places. That information is restricted to planners, archeologists and similar professionals. We can't know what is on that list without going to Olympia personally to do research right now, though they are working to put most of it into restricted web access. If we want our historic properties listed, we need to work through approved professionals. Those professionals however can train and oversee local volunteers.
The DAHP is working on a new Historic Preservation Plan for the state. We are in the last year of a five year cycle for those. We are all encouraged to review the current 52 page plan, downloadable from the DAHP website, http://www.dahp.wa.gov/. We are also encouraged to answer their online survey preparing for the next plan - due out at the end of this year. You can do that survey (15 minutes or so) right off of their front page (you need to scroll down a little).
The situation with CTED is much the same, emphasis on preserving and renovating mainstreets. Being a Certified Local Government (CLG) is very much encouraged. There is money available to help survey local historic structures once a city gets CLG status.
May is Historic Preservation month.
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One-on-One
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There has been an upsurge in interest for Stevens County History. The Colville Chamber of Commerce has designated April as "History Month" and is scheduling history theme presentations for their Tuesday, noon, meetings at the Eagles in Colville. The first, on April 1st, (no this is not a joke), is Pat Graham, speaking on the origins of the City of Colville. We are also hoping for presentations on Leno Prestini, Civil War Soldiers buried here, Genealogy and progress on Preserve America.
The first batch of Preserve America Crossroads on the Columbia DVDs flew out the door, and more have been requested. Thank you Grady Knight! As a matter of fact, many people have been lending their time and experience to the project. I have a tally of some $1400 in contributed time, mileage and other expenses right now. If you have been spending any time in research or plans for research, I would like to know about them so they can be added to the tally. Grant applications have a lot to do with showing local interest and support. Partnerships and plans go a long way toward demonstrating that we are working together. If your museum, municipality or even just you and your family have been spending time on local history, I would like to hear about it.
Some people I have talked to lately are Alan Bedford with the City of Colville Historical Preservation Committee, Fran Bolt, the mayor of Marcus and Kathy Berrigan of the Kettle Falls Historical Society. I have a long list of others to talk to - and add to the tally. Fran contributed a nice sketch she wrote of the history of Marcus. They are working to restore their old High School Gym into a Community Center and have a grant to work with. It may be a nice opportunity for historical interpretation. I have a list of other people to talk to within the County and at higher levels of preservation activities. If you don't hear from me in the next few weeks and have some ideas, please call me, Joseph Barreca, (509) 738-6155 or email Joe.Barreca@gmail.com.