Do NOT Miss This First-Ever
Super-Regional Preservation Conference.
This Saturday, in a first-of-its-kind event, preservationists
from the Finger Lakes to Chautauqua Lake, and from Lake Ontario to the
Pennsylvania line will converge on Medina for a super-regional pow-wow.
There is still time to register and get in on it.
Organized by the Landmark Society of Western New York (ironically, based in Rochester) and co-sponsored by Preservation Buffalo-Niagara (based at the Market Arcade downtown), this
conference marks the first formal collaboration of the two regional
preservation organizations, whose service areas meet in Genesee and Orleans
Counties. The Rochester-based Landmark Society has been putting on a
regional preservation conference since the mid-1980s for its service area,
which extends east to Seneca County.
“We thank Preservation Buffalo-Niagara for their co-sponsorship,
and welcome everyone interested in preservation in the Niagara Frontier area to
join us for the conference, and see what regional preservation organizations
can do to help them promote preservation in their communities,” said Joanne
Arany, Executive Director of the Rochester-based Landmark Society.
Henry Macartney, interim Executive Director of Preservation
Buffalo-Niagara, and retired Executive Director of the Rochester-based Landmark
Society, told me how the regional conference first got started. “In 1985,
we pulled together people from every county in our service area to see what we
could do to help them with preservation. The conference idea grew out of
that. We held the first one the next year, using a small grant from the
New York State Council on the Arts.” They’ve been held annually ever
since. “We always tried to keep the cost reasonable,” said Henry.
This year’s cost is just $50. “It’s been very helpful for people–an
inexpensive day trip where they can learn a lot about preservation and bring it
back to their communities.”
Henry gave me a great example of this happening. Catherine
Revelas, then involved in the Medina Chamber of Commerce, attended one of the
conferences, learned about Main Street revitalization, and then started a Main
Street project in Medina. You’ll be able to see the outstanding results
Saturday.
Attendees will have a choice of four “tracks,” depending on
their involvement in preservation and/or what they want to learn more about:
Track A: Where’s the Money? Restoring Economic Vitality in Your
Community
In this practical, timely track you’ll learn where to find
grants, loans, and tax credits for historic preservation, how to use market
analysis to enhance your Main Street’s economic viability, and tour successful
rehabilitation projects in downtown Medina to learn what has worked for local
business owners. Please note: This session may fulfill the training
requirements for members of local planning and zoning boards. Please check with
your municipality for details.
Track B: Preserving and Maintaining Your Old House from Top to
Bottom:
Owners of older houses will find answers to some of their most
vexing questions at these sessions, which feature functional and handy
information on the best ways to maintain and preserve the distinctive features
of historic houses.
Track C: Historic Preservation Planning 101
Confused by the lingo of preservation planning? Dreaming of a
preservation project, but unsure where to start? This session will set you
straight on the various private and public entities that “do” historic
preservation, the services they can offer you and your community, and how you
can take advantage of their expertise. If you are preparing (or hope to
prepare) a National Register nomination, bring your works in progress for
hands-on help.
Track D: Preservation Board and Commission Training
This full-day session is geared toward new and experienced board
member, as well as the interested public. Topics will include the role of
the preservation commission, procedures for running efficient and legally sound
meetings, and the standards to be used in design review.
Get connected:
The Landmark Society of Western New York’s 23rd Annual Regional
Preservation Conference–co-sponsored by Preservation Buffalo-Niagara
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Medina High School, 2 Mustang Drive (off Route 31), Medina, NY
Click here for full details and to register.