more newsMay is Historic Preservation month, and to benefit the owners of older and historic properties, the Elkins Historic Landmarks Commission and the Randolph County Housing Authority are hosting a joint workshop from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Darden House in downtown Elkins. The workshop will focus on smart ways to improve residential and commercial buildings with energy savings and historic preservation in mind.
Speakers include preservation architect Michael Mills of Morgantown, Dave Clark of the Randolph County Housing Authority and Joanna McKay of Woodlands Development Group. A special session on tax credits for restoration and energy improvements will also be included.
Members of the Landmarks Commission - President Carol Schuler, Vice President Phyllis Baxter, Secretary Ellen Spears, Treasurer Logan Smith and member at large Dr. David Turner - will be on hand for additional questions and information.
Refreshments will be sponsored by Scott Hill Occasions.
Schuler noted that members of the Landmarks Commission recognized the quality of recent preservation projects managed by the Randolph County Housing Authority, such as the DelMonte Hotel on Railroad Avenue, and that both organizations are working to enhance information and options for owners of historic buildings.
The commission invited RCHA Executive Director Karen Jacobson to a recent meeting, and plans for partnering on a workshop quickly developed.
"Both of our organizations are equipped to assist building owners with preservation-related opportunities," Schuler said. "This workshop will provide some great hands-on information about making homes more sustainable, preserving the architectural value of historic buildings, working with contractors, and using available tax credit programs to make improvements more affordable."
Jacobson noted that the seminar will give local homeowners practical advice and resources for preserving and maintaining their older homes.
"Randolph County has one of the highest rates of homeownership in the country - approximately 75 percent," said Jacobson. "With over 20 percent of the local housing stock being built before 1939, homeowners need to know about their options for rehabbing and maintaining older, and perhaps, historic homes."
Schuler added that both organizations hope this will be the first of several workshops. "We have several other ideas in mind, and we hope we can get feedback on additional sessions people would like to see."
The workshop is free and open to the public. The Darden House is located on Davis Avenue next to Elkins City Hall. For more information, e-mail ehlc@historicelkins.org.
