Preserve Historic Forsyth

Group formed to save St Philips

2012-02-16T12:19:00.001-05:00

A local group has been formed and will be meeting on Feb 26 to discuss options. Check their website.

Journal Now article about St. Philips in Germanton

2012-02-10T13:43:00.000-05:00

New life for an old church?

The Preservation Action Committee has just met and will be making a recommendation to the board about possible action. Stay tuned!

Some Special Events for Black History Month in Forsyth County

2012-01-30T10:41:00.002-05:00

Check out the Family Heritage Fest at St. Philips in Old Salem.

Also on February 18 is Rosenwald Recognition Day!

Historic Forsyth County Library

2012-01-23T11:09:00.000-05:00

PHF Board has taken the position that the original portion of the Forsyth Public Library should be considered for it historic significance. Designed by noted local architect Luther Lashmit the building was at the forefront of contemporary design when it was built in 1953 and used the highest quality materials. While we don't have any position on the location of the library, the reuse of the original building should be considered by the library or a subsequent tenant. Some of the issues raised about the building, such as being 'dingy' looking, appear to be largely deferred maintenance.

According to published reports, the property was a gift for a public Library and would return to ownership of the Z. Smith Reynolds if they do leave the property.

Representatives from PHF attended the first two meetings this past week and another public input meeting will be on March 6 at the new WS/FC Career Center at 6pm. You can view a video about other nearby new library and make comments online.

Cover story: Repairing windows can beat replacing - Washington Times

2012-01-13T09:54:00.000-05:00

Cover story: Repairing windows can beat replacing - Washington Times

Essay Contest starting!

2012-01-05T10:35:00.002-05:00

We are starting a new contest this year, of ideas on how to use historic preservation to improve our community. Prizes will be awarded for the top three entries: $200 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place. See the details and rules on the Essay Contest page at the top tab.

Membership event

2011-11-14T15:19:00.002-05:00

Here's some images from the Bethania Membership event in December.

We were part of National Weatherization Day!

2011-11-01T12:57:00.000-04:00

About 4 of the volunteers helping on National Weatherization Day for the Sunnyside neighborhood were from Preserve Historic Forysth. We want to help the historic neighborhood and encourage appropriate measures that don't destroy the historic character of the homes being modified.

2011 Heritage Awards

2011-10-26T10:30:00.000-04:00

Here, thanks to Alison Banther of AllyB Photography and Patti Sturdy are images from the 2011 Heritage Awards!

George Black House and Brickyard Unanimously Approved

2011-10-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

The Winston-Salem City Council unanimously approved the George Black House and Brickyard as a Local Historic Landmark at their October 17 meeting. There was no opposition, and former City Council member Evelyn Terry gave a strong statement during the public hearing in support of the need for historic preservation as an economic development tool!

2011 Heritage Awards

2011-10-14T15:56:00.005-04:00

We had an great event with over 200 attendees. The keynote by Josh Rogers was an eye opening address giving the details and economic rationale for preservation as a fundamental community development tool. We plan to release more details of the talk at some point. The various winners were announced and will be detailed here over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

Thanks to all the nominees, attendees, and supporters that came out for a rainy but great evening.

2011 Heritage Awards Invitation

2011-10-11T09:56:00.000-04:00

GoExpo!

2011-10-05T09:58:00.001-04:00

We had our wood window display and other information about the advantages of rehabilitation of historic wood windows. Check out some pictures of intrepid members talking to visitors to the GoExpo.

Visit us on Saturday

2011-09-28T21:36:00.001-04:00

We will be at the GoExpo on Saturday at the convention center. We will be giving out info on rehab and have our special window display. Come check us out!

Black House and Brickyard scheduled for Local Historic Landmark hearing

2011-09-23T10:36:00.000-04:00

The City Council committee has recommended approval and the public hearing will be on October 17 at the regular meeting. Please come and show your support!

Now on Facebook!

2011-09-15T19:22:00.000-04:00

We're gradually expanding our web-presence so please 'Like' us on Facebook!!

Preservation/NC conference in Mt. Airy!

2011-08-29T15:40:00.001-04:00

Preservation/NC's annual statewide conference is at the end of September in Mt. Airy. The Preservation/NC annual conference site is online and you can see the schedule of events and register there too. This is the best way to meet other preservationists from around the state!

Letter regarding Union Station

2011-08-02T15:16:00.000-04:00

PHF has sent the following letter to the editor of the Winston-Salem Journal and to the City Council regarding the Union Station:

Dear Editor:

Preserve Historic Forsyth has been following the City of Winston-Salem’s efforts to acquire Davis Garage, the former Union Station, as a potential transportation hub for high-speed rail.

Although the City now owns the property, we applaud efforts that former owner Harvey Davis made to protect the historic train station. Mr. Davis took steps to have it designated by the City Council as a Forsyth County Local Historic Landmark and, as a nationally-significant property, to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Planned in 1915 as a joint venture between three railroads, Union Station operated as a unified passenger station for the Winston-Salem Southbound, the Norfolk and Western Railway, and Southern Railway. Opening in 1926, when Winston-Salem was the largest city in North Carolina, the station served passengers into the 1970s.

We hope that the new owner, the City of Winston-Salem, and our elected leaders and managers, will also recognize the old train station’s significance and will take steps to protect it. Union Station is the final railroad facility surviving in the heart of Winston-Salem. It has the potential to be again the showpiece of the area’s transportation system.

The rehabilitation plan recommended in the joint report prepared by the City of Winston-Salem, Mr. Davis, Winston-Salem State University, Piedmont Area Regional Transportation (PART), and NC Department of Transportation (DOT) is excellent and should be adopted by the City. The benefit of partnering with a private developer which can take advantage of the rehabilitation tax credits should not be dismissed.

Sincerely yours,

Catherine Hendren, President

Preserve Historic Forsyth, Inc.

Hanes House designated a Local Historic Landmark

2011-07-21T16:17:00.000-04:00

The Hanes House was designated as the newest Local Historic Landmark on the same 5-3 vote at the second City Council meeting. The newspaper headline is misleading since the vote was only on designation, which is separate from the property tax deferral that the owner can choose to apply for and is granted under state law.

About a dozen supporters from PHF were present at the hearing wearing name tags that said "Hanes YES."

Winston-Salem Journal article

Support Local Historic Landmarks-Please attend City Council meeting

2011-07-14T11:09:00.000-04:00

The City Council will vote to confirm the landmark designation of the Hanes House. There are going to be other Local Historic Landmarks in subsequent meetings, but we would like to begin visibly supporting all these designations by having preservation supporters attend and wear something identifying them as a supporter.

If you can make the 7pm meeting at the City Council Chambers on Monday, July 18 we would appreciate your support!

See below for the letter of support that we have sent and read at the last meeting.

Exploring Winston-Salem's Historic Neighborhoods

2011-06-28T12:00:00.000-04:00

Winston-Salem Monthly has a nice cover story in this month's issue about several historic neighborhoods in the city. The story highlights West Salem, West End, Washington Park and Ardmore, and also mentions Buena Vista, Holly Avenue, Happy Hill and Reynoldstown.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

PHF Supports Designation of the Hanes House

2011-06-23T16:11:00.000-04:00

Members of PHF that attended the Historic Resource Commission meeting in June heard the designation presentation of the Robert M. Hanes House. Based on that information and the designation report, the Board approved a letter of support for the house to be a Local Historic Landmark.

The letter was read at the public comment portion of the June 20 City Council meeting, the meeting of their first vote on the issue. Which was supported in a 5-3 vote for designation.

Letter to City Council

There will be a second vote on the issue at the next meeting (July 18) since there was not a super majority and a second vote is needed. We urge members to contact their City Council representatives and recommend their support at the next City Council meeting to designate this important part of North Carolina's history.

Legacy 2030: Get heard!

2011-06-09T16:12:00.000-04:00

The City/County Planning Department is working on the Legacy 2030 Comprehensive Plan that will outline the community's approach to the next 20 years of growth. This is anticipated to include another 120,000 people moving into the county.

Check out their site Forsyth County Legacy 2030 to read more details and we encourage you to post comments. Historic preservation is part of Chapter 9 on Community Character. There may be other areas that have issues that can impact preservation activities which you may want to also read and post comments.

Preservation Month ends with a bang

2011-05-26T11:12:00.000-04:00

After a well-presented lecture to a large crowd of about 75 people by architect David Gall, the Modernist Architecture Photo contest was unveiled. The 7 honorable mentions and 3 award winners were all presented and then the remaining 44 images submited were exhibited at Reynolda House for the rest of the day.

The schedule for the display of the images at the county library branches will be posted on the website when it is finalized. The photos may also be all on exhibit during the Preservation Awards event this year on October 11, 2011.

We appreciate the great turnout for the final lecture and the wonderful submissions to the first photo contest. Thanks to Michelle McCullough and the W-S/FC Historic Resource Commission, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, and Reynolda House Museum of American Art for supporting and sponsoring the activities this year during Preservation Month.

Preservation Month Lecture at Noon on May 18th at Reynolda House

2011-05-16T19:28:00.000-04:00

The third lecture in the May 'Lunch and Learn' series on May 18th will be a presentation by Phil Archer, Reynolda House Director of Public Programs. He will present 'Reynolda: Preserving a Pastoral Vision' about a new book to be released on the history of Reynolda House. The lectures are held at noon and are free and open to the public, people are encouraged to bring their lunches and can eat during the presentation.

Modernist Architecture Photo Contest Winners To Be Announced

2011-05-04T13:10:00.001-04:00

Winners will be announced on May 25 at Reynolda House

Part of Preservation Month "Lunch and Learn" lectures is a presentation on "What is Modernist Architecture?" by Architect David Gall. It will be at the Reynolda House auditorium on Wednesday, May 25th at noon.

As part of the presentation on May 25th, the winners of the Preserve Historic Forsyth Modernish Architecture photo contest will be announced and awarded their prizes. All of the submitted entries will be on exhibit in the Reynolda House lobby area following the presentation until 5pm.

The photographs from the contest will be circulated to various locations, including all branch libraries in Forsyth County. A detailed calendar will be released soon.

Welcome to the New PHF Website & Blog

2001-01-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

After working for almost four years to celebrate and protect our historic properties in Forsyth County, we've enjoyed some great successes, but have demonstrated that the need is greater than ever for the voices of responsible preservation leadership in Forsyth.

We have redesigned the PHF website to accommodate better and more frequent communication with our membership and supporters, for the greater protection of historic resources in our communities.

At the left side of this page you can chose to subscribe via RSS or email to receive regular notices of news posted on this site. We hope you will also join us (the link to a membership form is also in the left panel).

The calendar shows upcoming events and scheduled meetings.