Greene County Heritage Workshop to be held Nov. 4
The culture and heritage of Greene County will take center stage starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Margaret Bell Miller Middle School, when the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation will hold the first of several heritage workshops in outlying areas.
Farming, as well as the coal, oil and gas industries made their impact on the cultural heritage of the county, and the workshop is intended to explore the importance of preserving and restoring the area’s historic buildings and structures.
“In the preservation community, we don’t classify what is architecturally significant or non-significant,” said Karamagi Rujumba, director of advocacy for the PHLF. “Grand historic edifices – yes, but historic structures also include old farm houses and barns of a certain era. All of them matter, which is one of the reasons why we’re holding the workshops.”
According to Rujumba, in the United States, buildings and structures are considered historic when they are dated 50 years or older.
“At the workshop we’ll introduce our organization to the people of the area and let them know that, while we’re based in Pittsburgh, we’re also a resource for outlying areas,” he said. “Preserving and restoring buildings and structures in Greene County is not something we would come in and do ourselves. Rather we will encourage and support people to save, preserve and restore the infrastructure of the community that has supported the residents for some time.”
The agenda of the Workshop is as follows:
n 9:30 a.m.: Registration and coffee.
n 10 a.m.: Welcome and introductions.
n 10:15 a.m.: “Why Care? The Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation” – Bill Callahan, Western PA Community Preservation coordinator, Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
n 11 a.m.: “Greene County’s Architectural Treasures” panel discussion – Lu Donnelly, architectural historian and author; Rob Wagner, senior loan officer, Landmarks Community Capital Corporation; and Duncan Horner, Greene County resident.
n 11:45 a.m.: Boxed lunch and the showing of “Through the Place,” a 58-minute movie about historic preservation in America as seen through more than 50 years of preservation experience in the Pittsburgh region.
n 1 p.m.: “Managing Building Codes” panel discussion – Ken Kulak, architect, and Bryan Cumberledge, Waynesburg Borough assistant manager and code enforcement officer.
n 1:45 p.m.: Practical options for historic doors and windows – Fred Smith, co-founder of Allegheny Millwork and Lumber Company.
n 2:30 p.m.: Wrap-up – comments, needs and workshop evaluation.
n 3 p.m.: Workshop adjourns.
The workshop is free and open to the public and a complimentary boxed lunch will be included in the event. The registration deadline in Tuesday, Oct. 31. Those interested should call 412-471-5808, ext. 527, or email marylu@phlf.org.
In his talk, Bill Callahan will discuss why people should be interested in historic preservation as a way of enhancing and beautifying the area.
“Many people misunderstand how historic properties fit into a dynamic 21st-century economic environment,” Callahan said. “This workshop will look beyond limited public funding to explore how a community’s historic character fits into economic development strategies. It will outline best-practice approaches to preserve, promote, and invest in historic community character.”
Lu Donnelly, who has written a couple of books on the architecture of western Pennsylvania, will describe why certain architectural styles are prevalent in the area and provide the historic background for their existence.
In 2014, when PHLF turned 50, more than 65 members and foundations contributed to PHLF’s 50th Anniversary Fund through 2017. One of the goals of that fundraising effort was to help PHLF provide technical assistance to main streets and historic neighborhoods throughout the Pittsburgh region, with a particular emphasis on outlying counties where no local preservation organizations exist to assist concerned citizens.
Mary Beth Pastorius, a trustee of PHLF and a native of Greene County, has been instrumental in planning the conference.
“PHLF is sharing its expertise in ‘Renewing Communities and Building Pride’ with rural areas outside Allegheny County that have many historic assets but little experience in ‘how to’ preserve,” she said. “I encourage anyone who cares about saving the unique character of Greene County to attend this workshop. It’s been specifically tailored to meet their needs and interests.”
The workshop is the result of much planning and the local support of 17 co-sponsoring Greene County organizations. These include the Carmichaels Area Historical Society, Community Foundation of Greene County, Corbly Family Association, Cornerstone Genealogical Society, DAR, John Corbly Chapter, Waynesburg, Greene Academy, Greene County Chamber of Commerce, Greene County Historical Society and Museum, Greene County Tourism, Phillip Hook, Hook and Hook, Mon River Town Program, Nathanael Greene Community Development Corporation, Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Pollock, Morris and Belletti, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, Warrior Trail Association and Waynesburg Lodge 153 of the Free and Accepted Masons.