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1996 10 17 HPCT,iht44auRM RICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA A Regular Meeting to be held in the North Conference Room at the La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California October 17, 1996 3:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Roll Call II. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA III. PUBLIC COMMENT This is the time set aside for citizens to address the Historical Preservation Commission on matters relating to historic resources within the City of La Quinta which are not Agenda items. When addressing the Historical Commission, please state your name and address. When addressing the Commission on matters pertaining to prehistoric sites, do not disclose the exact location of the site(s) for their protection. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Approval of the Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission meeting of September 19, 1996. V. BUSINESS ITEMS Archaeology Report for the Bureau of Land Management segment of the Jefferson Street Alignment project Update of the California Local Government Workshop Video presentation: "Working on the Past - with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties" VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS VIII. ADJOURNMENT HPC/AGENDA V(ik,001 MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA September 19, 1996 I. CALL TO ORDER 3:00 P.M. A. This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order at 3:07 P.M. by Chairman Millis, who led the flag salute. B. ROLL CALL 1. Chairman Millis requested the roll call: Present: Commissioners DeMersman, Puente, Woodard, Wright, and Chairman Millis. 2. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di Iorio and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA: Confirmed III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. There being no corrections to the Minutes of August 15, 1996, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Woodard/Wright to approve the minutes as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Starlight Dunes 1. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. There being no questions, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners DeMersman/Wright to approve the report as submitted. Unanimously approved. -J.U6�002 Historical Preservation Commission August 22 , 1996 B. Laniz Energy Archaeologyport Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioner Woodard asked staff how a site was determined. Staff explained that when an area is found with an accumlation of artifacts it is identified as a site. 3. Chairman Millis asked staff to define what full recovery meant. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio explained that it was when a monitor goes to a site and does a grid pattern of excavation until nothing is found. 4. There being no further discussion it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Wright/Puente to approve the report as submitted. Unanimously approved. C. Terracina A1artments Archaeologyport Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioner Woodard asked what the duties of a monitor were. Staff explained that the educated opinion of the archaeologist determined what studies would be conducted on the site. Discussion followed regarding how the archaeologist makes his determinations. Staff explained that the archaeology reports are now being required at the time of submittal instead of when building permits are issued. It was moved and seconded by Commissioner Puente/DeMersman to accept the report as submitted. Unanimously approved. D. CLG Certificate Workshop Update Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioner Puente suggested staff send the brochure to some of the other agencies that might be interested in attending the workshop. Discussion followed regarding those who would benefit by attending the workshop. -a.u� 003 Historical Preservation Commission August 22 , 1996 3. There being no further discussion, Chairman Millis directed staff to distribute the brochures as discussed. VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL A. Staff distributed and discussed the letters that had been sent to the consultant candidates. The Contracts for Mellon & Associates had been approved and signed by the Council and staff. VII COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Commissioner Items: 1. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio gave a presentation on the seismic retrofit and interior remodeling of the Hacienda del Gato. a. Staff introduced Mr. Larry Spicer, representing the Sienna Corporation, new owners of the who spoke regarding the retrofit of the Hacienda del Gato. Mr. Spicer stated he would be willing to take each of the Commissioners on a tour. The plans he had with him were of the interior designof the Hacienda del Gata. At a later date they would be submitting plans for the exterior grounds and demolition that is proposed. Mr. Spicer went to to describe the proposed changes that were to be made to the site. It has been a residence and it will be converted to a sales and information center with office space. It will evolve from the one use to the other to be sensitive to the tradition of the place. The idea is to have the new construction adjacent to the old in a style that is compatible. The interior changes was to create a handicapped accessible are in the wing that use to be bedrooms. Then creating some entries between the three offices for communications. The oak floors in the library and main living area will be refinished. The ceiling tongue and groove beams will remain as they are. Over the fireplace a mantel will be installed. This area will generally be cleaned up and refurbished and address the ADA requirements at a later date. The challenge is to balance the historic character with the new Code requirements such as the ADA. The public events that are planned for later this year are generating the start of the construction. In regards to the retrofiting, during the inspection of the buildng they found that the framing extends down to the footings and therefore the roof carries the load making this building exempt from the retrofitting requirements. They have received a letter from the Builidng and and Safety Departmetn asking that they have the framing anchored to the stem wall. Due to the structural foundation of the building, they are investigating earthquake insurance to determine the structure integrity -i.0 I 004 Historical Preservation Commission August 22, 1996 of the building. The stem wall is 12" wide with the tooter below this. The builidng has been up 70 years and there is no evidence of any cracking. They have contracted with Knox Mellon and Associates to do a survey of the buildings and its environment. b. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio presented Building and Safety Director Tom Hartung who explained that the building would not require all the building modifications they originally thought it would need due to it meeting the historical requirements. Staff is currently looking at the handicapped requirements in light of the historical building. C. Commissioner Woodard asked who would make the detemrination on the ADA requirements. Staff stated the Building and Safety Department. d. Commissioner Woodard asked about updating the handicapped parking. Mr. Spicer explained where they would be located and given access to the building. Building and Safety Director Tom Hartung stated the restricitons would be lessened due to its historic nature and some concessions can be made so that the changes would not destroy the historic fabric of the building. e. Commissioner Woodard asked if the interior work could begin without the site plan being approved. Staff stated that as long as the HPC approved the project and no life or safety hazards were being created, staff would approve it. Commissioner DeMersman stated that in his work they had received several exemptions from the ADA due to the circumstances of historic buildings. g. Commissioner Woodard asked if the HPC reviewed the interior dsign of the buildings. Chairman Millis stated they did not. Staff stated they could have a clause added to the conditions that if the interior was of more valuable than the exterior, then neither the inside nor the outside could be modified. h. Mr. Spicer showed the design drawings of the site to the Commission. Commissioner Wright thanked Mr. Spicer and the Sienna organiztion for being so historically sensitive to the site. Mr. Spicer stated that the impact of the site on the community is very evident. Mr. Spicer thanked the Commission for their time. .4-U 005 Historical Preservation Commission August 22 , 1996 k. Commissioner Woodard asked staff to explain the procedure whereby the Commision would review a site at a historic location. What is the procedure when the Commission would do an extensive review of a project. 1. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio explained that under CEQA the HPC would review the entire site relative to where all the buildings are, the trees, etc. CEQA requires that no loss of integrity is being made to the buidling. It must be compatible with the historic stricture. Any new buildings must be compatible with the existing. M. Commissioner Woodard explained that he would like to see what the addition would be constructed of and the details. Staff explained that the Commission would be reviewing the same package that would be submitted to the Planning Comission. This review was a preview to an official review. n. Commissioner DeMersman explained his experience with the compatibilty issues as they pertain to new consruction with historic sites. Commissioners discussed the different interpretations of how new construction is viewed. B. Commissioner DeMersman stated that the State Preservation Conference being held in the desert was becoming more of a reality. C. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio explained that there would be a workshop held by the California Preservation Foundation in January in Palm Springs. Commissioners were encouraged to attend any of the workshops that were being offered. D. Commissioner Puente asked if the meeting could start at 3:15 P.M. rather than 3:00 P.M. to allow her time to arrive from school. There being no objections, it was unanimously determined that the meeting would begin at 3:30 P.M. VIII.. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners DeMersman/Puente to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to a regular meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission on October 17, 1996. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 4:04 P.M. Unanimously approved. 006 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: October 17, 1996 ITEM: Cultural Resources Survey for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Segment of the Jefferson Street Alignment Project, City of La Quinta. PROJECT: Environmental Assessment: Jefferson Street Right -of -Way Alignment APPLICANT: City of La Quinta ARCHAEOLOGIST: The Keith Companies - Paul Chace, Ph.D. and Charles Reeves, J.D. BACKGROUND: A report of a Phase I archaeological survey was submitted to the City for the proposed Bureau of Land Management (BLM) segment of the Jefferson Street Alignment. The City of La Quinta has submitted an application to the BLM requesting the granting of right-of- way for the proposed extension of Jefferson Street along the new alignment between Avenue 58 and Avenue 62. This archaeological survey was conducted as part of the environmental review for the right-of-way application in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requirements. The archaeology report has been submitted to the BLM along with the Environmental Assessment, prepared by The Keith Companies, for the right-of-way application. The archaeological survey consisted of the archaeologists walking measured transects along the proposed right-of-way in an effort to locate and record any cultural resources (prehistoric or historic). No cultural resources were found during this survey. There are, however, several prehistoric sites in the near vicinity. The report follows the required City format and addresses all of the required issues for a complete document. DISCUSSION: Although no resources were observed during the survey, the report states that the City may require an archaeological monitor during the grading of the roadway. Given that there are several recorded prehistoric sites nearby the road alignment, it is recommended that the grading activities be monitored by a qualified archaeologist(s). .'�.lJU, 007 The following findings of fact can be made for this archaeological investigation: 1. An archaeological investigation was required to complete the Environmental Assessment for the BLM segment of the Jefferson Street Alignment Project. 2. The archaeological investigation consisted of a Phase I survey effort which did not result in any cultural resources being observed or recorded. 3. The archaeological investigation was conducted in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 96-— to conditionally accept the report, "A Cultural Resources Survey for the U. S. Bureau of Land Management Segment of the Jefferson Street Alignment Project, City of La Quinta", as partial compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Environmental Assessment prepared for the project, subject to the attached recommended Condition of Approval (Exhibit "A"). Attachments: 1. Archaeology Report (Confidential) 2. Exhibit "A" - Recommended Conditions of Approval Prepared by: &ejJ. Mo�uan Associate Planner Submitted by: ((A �A,_ �'G(I �s Christine di Iorio Planning Manager Tit�t 4 4 Qu&tcu MEMORANDUM TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION FROM: CHRISTINE DI IORIO, PLANNING MANGER DATE: OCTOBER 17, 1996 SUBJECT: HACIENDA AT THE TRADITION CLUB Staff received the attached correspondence from the owners of the Hacienda del Gato and we are submitting it to you for your information. Staff will present further information at the meeting. ANDREWPIERCE Andrew Pierce Corporation 75570 Mary Lane, Indian Wells, CA 92210 Tel. (619) 564-1228 Fax (619) 554-0184 October 9, 1996 Christine di lorio, Planning Manager City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, California 92253 Re: Hacienda at the Tradition Club Dear Christine: I am enclosing a copy of the entry door for the Hacienda which was selected by Habitat, the interior designer for the project, for approvals. The door will will be custom sixed to fit directly into the existing frame which we would wire brush to match the distressed finish on the door. Stain color and hardware selections will be forthcoming. We appreciate your attention to this item which has a long lead time for timely delivery. Sincerely, Gan GL:plm enclosure .A.J 010 r a READING MATERIAL, .'1I 012 forum news HISTORIANS AND PRESERVATIONISTS: A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE CENTURIES by Richard Moe Like many others, I came to preserva- tion through a visit to a historic place. While researching a book on the Civil War some years ago, I visited a number of battlefields where the Army of the Potomac fought. It was a moving experience to walk those fields and fencerows, but it was also alarming to see neglect and inappropriate develop- ment threatening many sites, especially Gettysburg. As a result of that experi- ence, I became determined to do what I could to help save these battlefields. My experience is not unusual. Many of The proposed development by The Walt DimryCompany brought the the most ardent and effective preserva- threat ofsprawl to the countryside near Haymarket, Virginut. tionists took up the cause because they cared about history and didn't want to see a piece of it disappear. History and preservation are two sides of the same coin. History tells us where we've been and thereby helps us chart a course for the future. Preservation seeks to keep the tangible evidence of that history alive, keeping it close at hand where we can live with it, walk through it and learn from it. John Ruskin recognized this close relationship more than a century ago when he wrote, "Architecture is to be regarded by us with the most serious thought. We may live without her and worship without her, but we cannot remember without her." But somehow, over the years, the bonds that link us have been loos- ened. Preservationists and historians are like siblings separated at birth, growing up to pursue different goals and speak different languages, bumping into one another only occasionally, rarely acknowledging the commonalities that should unite us. Why is this true? How has it happened? Part of the fault lies with preservationists —more specifically with the economic and political realities that preservationists must deal with today. In recent years, faced with a need to reach out to new constituencies and broaden our base of funding support, we have developed an extensive roster of facts and figures to justify preservation on economic and social grounds. We've learned to talk about preservation as a tool for neighborhood revitalization or a stimulus for heritage tourism. But in focusing the spotlight on preservations economic "bottom line," have we rele- gated history to the shadows? If so, we've lost sight of where we came from and whywe were so inspired in the first place. We need to remember that the very term "historic preservation' begins with histo- ry. The soul of history is stories, and historic buildings have lots of stories to tell. It is essential that they be preserved so that these stories can live. Historians must also accept part of the responsibility for the lack of closer ties between us. I know how easy it is to get so caught up in the challenging discipline of archival research that you eventually come to believe that historical truth can be found only in words on paper. That just isnt so. When it comes to history, facts on paper are no more or less important than truth on the ground —truth in brick and wood and iron. Streets, houses, churches, factories, public buildings and stores are 1^R A newsletter of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (continued on page 2) SERT6MBEWOQUBER.1996 ♦ V6WME2, NUMBER 6` HISTORY AND PRESERVATION continued from page 1 history that jumps off the page. It's true everywhere —not just in historical meccas like Charleston and Boston but also in more `ordinary" places where, instead of merely reading about history, you can see it and touch it and walk through it. In thousands of communities across the country, history says, "This is what happened." Preservation adds, "Right here." Preservation can also help us to remember the marvelous diversity embodied in the word "we." We come from all corners of the globe, bringing to this country the gifts of culture and tradition and means of artistic expression that enliven and enrich our communities in dazzling ways. A major reason for this country's greatness is its success in the unprecedented experiment of making a "nation of immigrants," building a society that attempts to make unity out of variety. Preservation offers us a means of celebrating that variety and of ensuring that we dons erase the marks left on our national landscape by the many peoples who have helped to shape it. But as America becomes more culturally diverse, we face new challenges in simply knowing who we are as Americans --or even defining exactly what 'American" means. In a situation such as this, an understanding of our common history is part of the "glue" that binds us together as a nation, that keeps our society from cracking apart into dozens of separate pieces. Arthur Schlesinger's comment that we suffer today from "too much pluribus and not enough tenum" summarizes the challenge faced by both historians and preservationists: to identify, safeguard and interpret those elements of our heritage that help to give us a sense of commu- nity. It is imperative that we strengthen our partnership to meet this challenge effectively. If we fail to do so, the further fragmentation of our society will put the very idea of America at risk. There's another reason why historians and preservationists should be partners: By working together, we can keep one another honest. For much of its relatively short history, the preservation movement has concerned itself mostly with saving grand, high -style buildings — the sort of places a young friend of mine once dismissed as "dead rich white guys' houses." If we are to on and maintain credibility as a relevant force in contemporary life, we must mnstandy guard against elitist attitudes about what is worthy of preservation. We need histo- rians to remind us that we must broaden our preservation vision to in- clude the full range of historic resources that help to define the American experience. Moreover, if they are to be valid, our efforts most not be limited to those aspects of the past of which we approve or which happen to be politically correct. We cannot, to borrow an image from the enter- tainment industry, insist that we be viewed only from our best side. Like history itself, preservation holds up a minor —and if it sometimes reflects an image that we don't like, we probably should scrutinize it all the more intently. Happily, the image which preservation reflects in the vast majority of American communities today is one from which we can all derive a great deal of satisfaction. By way of illustration, I'd like to tell you what happened a while ago in Port Gibson, Mississippi. In 1986 two Port Gibson residents, Bill and Martha Lum, bought a hundred -year -old synagogue in their home town to keep it from being tom down. With lots of hands-on help from their son, who is an architect, the Lums spent several years restoring the building inside and out —even though there is no longer an active Jewish community in the town. Bill Lum is a Methodist. Manha is Catholic. When a newspaper reporter asked why they were saving the Port Gibson synagogue, Bill Lum first responded with a jo ke: "My wife is Catholic and I'm Methodist —so maybe I'll get to where I want to go. I'm covering all the bases." But then he gave a more serious answer. "This building's always been there. To have lost it would have been devastating for the community —you just couldn't stand it. After all, there's more to life than the day -today things." I like that answer, particularly the last sentence. It shows a marvelous perception of why preservation is important. The bricks and boards of old buildings are a tangible expression of the dreams and lives of people long dead, an entryway into the community's collective memory. By saving the old buildings where that memory resides, we become part of an infinite continuum, immersed in a majestically flowing stream of which past and future are inseparable parts. Preservation helps us satisfy the need for continuity that art historian Sigfried Giedion says is "part of the very backbone of human dignity." A strong, ongoing, mutually supportive alliance between historians and preservationists can accomplish great things. We saw it happen two years ago when a proposed development by The Walt Disney Company brought the threat of sprawl to the countryside near Haymarket, Virginia. Sprawl is destructive anywhere, but it would have been particularly devastating in this setting. Within an hour's drive of die Disney site lay seven battlefields that the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission had already identified as being in "critical need" of protection; one of them —Manassas —was only four miles from the proposed theme park. Greatly increased traffic and accelerated development in all (continued on page 6) .:.out.o14 ♦ How can museum staff and volunteers learn the best ways to clean historic artifacts? The new, one -hour videotape Housekeeping for Historic Sites demonstrates deep -cleaning methods for pewter, woodwork, upholstery, and other materials and objects familiar to curators of house museums and historical societies. Produced joint- ly by the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA), the National Park Service, and the New York State Bureau of Historic Sites, the video is available from SPNEA for $29.95 ($24.95 for members). Contact the society at (617) 762-4300. ♦ The American Academy in Rome has announced the 101st annual Rome Prize fellowship competition. The fellowships support independent study and advanced research in the fine arts and humanities and include a stipend, travel funds, room and board, and study or studio space at the Academy in Rome. The competition is open to artists and scholars who are U.S. citizens. The deadline is November 15th. Contact Karen Rose Gonon at (212) 751-7220. ♦ An updated guide to the low income housing in credit program, Tax Credits for Low Income Housing: New Opportunities for Developers, Non -Profits and Communities Under Permanent Tax Act Provisions by Joseph Guggenheim, explains program provisions, covers the governing regulations and issuances, analyzes the feasi- bility of developing housing using the credit, and provides guidance on obtaining the equity capital generated by the credit. The 398- n e w s m a k e r s Historic Hawai'i Foundation has appointed David Scott to be executive director. He joined the statewide organization after serving for seven years as the executive director of the Historic Wilmington Foundation in North Carolina. DaviEsmtt After 19 years in academia, Phillip H. Shelley has left his position as a professor of anthro- pology at Eastern New Mexico University to become the state historic preservation officer for New Mexico. In July Monta Lee Dakin assumed the position of executive director of Colorado Preservation, Inc. She relocated from Virginia, where she was for 10 years the director of Gadsby's Tavern Museum in Alexandria. Colorado Preservation, Inc., presented the 1996 Dana Crawford Award in June to Betty Chronic, the National Trust Board of Advisors Mountains/Plains Regional Vice Chair. The Dana Crawford Award, named for the pioneering Denver preservationist, is the organization's highest honor and recognizes outstanding leadership in preservation. Kristen Sanders has joined the Brandy Station Foundation as execu- tive director. Previously, she worked for six years as executive director of the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, where she coordinated all activities associated with the preservation of a 158-acre parcel of the Cedar Creek battlefield. worth knowing page guidebook is available in so&cover for $66 plus $5 for shipping or in a looseleaf binder for $175 plus $10 shipping from Simon Publications, P.O. Box 229, Glen Echo, MD 20812, (301) 320- 5771. The looseleaf version includes three supplements, one mailed every four months, explaining any changes in the program. ♦ "Older areas in cities and suburbs must become a focus for renew- al," states Item 7 of the ten -point land -use agenda proposed by Henry L. Diamond and Patrick F. Noonan in their new study of land use practices and trends, [and Use inAmerica. Copublished by the Lincoln Institute and Island Press, the book also includes 12 papers by leading figures from government, business, and acade- mia. Paperback copies cost $26.95 plus shipping and handling. To order, call (800) 526-3873 and select option 2 from the voice menu. ♦ For organizations in need of ideas for enticing new members or rewarding friends, The Preservation Press of John Wiley & Sons offers deep discounts on purchases of 10 or more copies of anyone tide when they are used for gifts, premiums, or incentives. Three recent tides are A Complex Fate, a biography of Gustav Stickley; Architectural Fodies in America, a compendium of more than 160 photographs of America's most unusual structures; and Great American Railroad Stations, a portrait of more than 700 extant American railroad stations and the preservation issues they face. For (continued on page 6) David J. Brown becomes the new regional director of the National Trust's Southern Regional Office as of September 1. He served for the previous eight years as the executive director of the Preservation Alliance of Virginia. Brendan Seaton has succeeded Kent Barwick: as the president of the Municipal Art Society in NewYorkCiry..Mr. Sexton brings tothe job more ; than 20 years of government and corporate experience, having served under five New York t N City mayors. Most recently, he held the position of vice president for corporate government and Bmdan Same community affairs at The Rockefeller Group. Heather Kmetz has taken on the new position of development coordinator for the Historic Preservation League of Oregon. She moved from Norfolk, Va., where she was the development director of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Karen Easter has resigned her position as the deputy historic preservation officer for the state of Georgia in order to enter the Candler School ofTheology at Emory University in Atlanta. The Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois has honored Chicago real estate developer Seymour Persky with the Distinguished Illinois Preservationist Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to historic preservation. ;'J0i 011 it wo rks! success stories in preservation IN -KIND DONATIONS SAVE THE POPE-LEIGHEY HOUSE by Swan 01sen When the National Trust for Historic Preservation decided to move Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House for the second time, the biggest challenge posed by the project was raising the funds to cover the cost of the unique restoration. The solution was one that many groups will be turning to as restoration funds become scarce. Using donated services and materials proved to be a viable approach but one that requires great care and poses particular challenges. Built originally in 1940 in Falls Church, Va., the Pope-Leighey House, one of Wright's modest Usonian houses, was donated to the National Trust in 1964 by Marjorie Itighey to prevent its demolition. The house was moved 10 miles to the grounds of Woodlawn Plantation, a 127-acre property operated by the Trust. In 1983 it became clear that the Pope-Leighey House had been placed on unstable soil. The concrete slab floor was cracking, causing the cypress woodwork to twist and bend. Consultants, architects, and engineers studied the building in search of a simple, affordable solution to the problem. After wrestling with the issue for a decade, the Trust decided the only permanent solution was to move the house again. Project architect Michael Quinn of Quinn Evans/Architects selected a new site, only 30 feet away, that provided a setting similar to the original Falls Church site, took the structure off the damaging belt of marine clay, and would not impact the archeology and view at Woodlawn Plantation. After project specifications were completed and cost estimates calculated, the restoration committee was faced with the challenge of raising $650,000 to move the house. The Trust began the fund-raising effort by pledging $275,000 in matching grant funds toward the project. Members of the restoration committee, led by Joan Smith, began bearing the bushes for corporate and private donors. Unfortunately, the economic climate paired with the history of the building made it difficult to raise matching dollars. As the condition of the building worsened and concern grew over how much longer relocation could be delayed, committee As the Pope-Leighey House was dumant/ed, pieces were carefuay numbered for reassembly members agreed to change tactics. They began soliciting donations of services and materials. The committee assembled a team of 39 donors, contractors, and suppliers who were willing to contribute more than $350,000 in plumbing, electrical, masonry, and landscaping work.. And as the donations rolled in, the dynamics of the project changed. The new challenge was accepting and coordinating donated services while keeping to a completion deadline and maintaining a high standard of preservation practice. Restoration began after the primary restoration contractor, the lace Kendall Pierce, a master carpenter from Yemasee, S.C., who specialized in restoring Wright buildings, was hired to dismantle the house and restore the original woodwork. All the donated services were secured by executing standard construction contracts that fully described the work to be done, ensuring that the donor was obligated to complete the work to the architect's specifications. The project architect worked with Pierce to establish a timetable for dae project, and all the donors were informed of when they would be required on site and what samples they would have to provide. Pierce began to dismantle the house in May of 1995. Once the original fabric of the sanctum (or study), entryway, and kitchen had been stored, the job was ready for the donated services. From the beginning coordination was difficult. Although all the donors fully intended to meet their commitments, they were also understandably responsible to their paying clients. Guaranteeing that key trades arrived simultaneously added to the administrative work load of the architect, the primary contractor, and the site staff. Despite project delays and coordination problems, however, the primary players in the restoration were determined to adhere to the construction sequence and to assure the quality of the restoration. Winter snows and spring rains forced additional delays, keeping many of the donors from meeting their commitments in a timely manner. Eventually, some services had to be contracted out for partial pay, but none of the participants compromised on materials and craftsmanship. As the project draws to a close, the site staff and the restoration committee are analyzing how the use of contributed services impacted the restoration. The Pope-Leighey House could not have been restored without the generosity of the local contractors, but the acceptance of do - stated services also caused many delays resulting in increased architectural and administrative expenses and lost admissions revenue. To avoid delays and confusion, organizations that are considering accepting gifts of in -kind services must plan to workclosely with the donors. Relationships among the architect, the paid contractors, and the donors should be clearly defined before restoration begins. A construction manager who both supervises the job and takes on the du- ties of "volunteer coordinator" must be hired to give dae project donors the attention and consideration they deserve. Saran Olsen is the director ofWoodlawn/Pope-Leighey.House. .ij 0- 016 �"I d .i 4 , stateIIoeaI news V ILLINOIS As Chicago embarks on a massive rehabilitation of its aging schools, the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois (LPCI) and the American Institute of Architects Chicago (AIA) are working with the Board of Education to explore useful and effective ways to meet preservation goals. An initiative of the LPCI Chicago Programs Committee and the AIA Historic Resources Committee has already resulted in a project to identify and evaluate at least 25 historically significant schools across the city. LPCI and AIA are continuing to meet with the schools' Capital Planning Group to address mainte- nance and rehabilitation issues and to implement sensitive renovation practices for Chicago's largest stock of historic buildings. For more information, contact LPCI at (312) 922-1742. MICHIGAN The number of donors to the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, the statewide nonprofit orga- nization, nearly doubled from 1994 to 1995, with do- nations going to increase the growing endowment fund or to match the challenge grant received from the National Trust under the Statewides Initiative Program. The Michigan statewide has also received a grant from the Americana Foundation to produce a seven -minute educational and promotional video on the organization and its services. The video will be used at conferences and meetings, during fund-raising vis- its, community training sessions, and Preservation Week activities, and by speakers from the Network's Speakers' Bureau. For more information, contact the Network at (810) 625-3010. ♦ NEW JERSEY Preservation New Jersey, Inc., has published Preserving New Jersey: A Handbook for Historic Preservation. Originally published in 1986 as a train- ing handbook for historic preservation commissions, the 274-page book has been expanded to include information on developing a local preservation program and ordinance, relevant agencies, heritage education, state and federal historic preservation laws and regulations, and more. The paperbound book is available for $40 plus $2.40 New Jersey sales tax from Preservation New Jersey, Inc., 149 Kearney Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, (908) 442-1100. ♦ UTAH For the first time since 1981 the Utah State Historical Society (USHS), the state historic preservation office, has commissioned the publication of a magazine about historic preservation in Utah. The premier issue was released this summer to coincide with the Utah Statehood Centennial. The magazine will be published semiannually beginning in 1997 and will be mailed free to members of both USHS and the Utah Heritage Foundation, the statewide nonprofit preservation organization. For more information, contact Roger Roper at (801) 533-3500. VERMONT A new annual award competition, the "Local Storekeeper Award," recognizes the importance of general stores and local markets to maintaining the vitality of Vermont communities. 'The Vermont Country Store of Weston, Vt., and the Preservation Trust of Vermont announced the competition in May in celebration of the Country Store's 50th anniversary. Following judging by a jury of Vermonters, the Preservation Trust will make six awards totalling $20,000 each year to provide the winning storekeepers with cash to make improvements and to recognize their contributions to their communities. For more infor- mation, call the Preservation Trust at (802) 658-6647. STATEWIDE PARTNERS Four statewide preservation organizations have been selected to work with the National Trust to develop pilot programs demonstrating new ways for preserva- tion organizations to work together at national, state, and local levels. Funds for planning the joint ventures come from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Preservation Trust of Vermont will develop a pilot program to provide field service and support to create new or strengthen existing local preservation organizations. In the public policy arena, Preservation Pennsylvania and the California. Preservation Foundation will conduct public education and participation programs tailored to their states. Preservation Pennsylvania will focus on sprawl; California, on disaster response, historic churches, and other issues. Preservation North Carolina will pioneer a joint membership program with the National Trust. For more information, contact Carol Wyant at (202) 588-6216. ;.006017 HISTORY AND PRESERVATION worth knowing continued from page 2 directions would have overwhelmed dozens of historic towns and landscapes, as well as some 300 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In an unprecedented move, a group of historians formed an organiza- tion called Protect Historic America to oppose the Disney develop- ment. Two former presidents of OAH, C. Vann Woodward and John Hope Franklin, served as co-chairmen. Historians such as David McCullough and James McPherson gave weeks of their time to help lead the fight, and they were joined by hundreds of their colleagues from all parts of the country. Their voices joined with those of preservationists in asserting that destroying the real history of the Northern Virginia Piedmont would be a national tragedy. There is not a doubt in my mind that Disney's ultimate decision to reconsider this project came about because this alliance succeeded in persuading countless numbers of Americans that their heritage was at risk. The American preservation movement has come a long way since Ann Pamela Cunningham launched her campaign to save Mount Vernon a century and a half ago. Today we are guided by a vision of the future in which American communities incorporate history —in the form of historic buildings and neighborhoods —as a vital part of daily life. We need historians' help to make that vision a reality. If we can do so, our communities will be better places to live, and all Americans will be the ultimate beneficiaries. Richard Moe is president of the National Twt. This article is adapted from a speech presented at the 1996annual meeting of the Organization ofAmerican Historians. continued from page 3 more information or to request a catalog, contact Frank Greene at (800) 225-5945, ext. 6143. ♦ Why Design? Activities and Projects from the National Building Museum by Anna Slafer and Kevin Cahill, a recem publication of the National Building Museum and Chicago Review Press, adopts the premise that "designing is as natural as walking or talking," then explains it through lively text and graphics and numerous suggest- ed activities. Although geared for high school students, the book is also intended to teach the general public how to critically evaluate the designed environment. The book is available for $19.95 from the National Building Museum. Contact them at (202) 272-7706. ♦ The newest technical bulletin from Scenic America, Evaluating Scenic Resources, explains "visual assessment techniques," tested methods to identify key vistas and a useful tool for identifying and ranking resources for preservation. The 20-page booklet, prepared by Jones and Jones, Architects and Iandscape Architects of Seattle, may be purchased for $5 from Scenic America, 21 Dupont Circle, NW, Wmhingron, DC 20036, (202) 833-4300. REMINDER New Trust Telephone Numbers Telephone and fax numbers have changed for offices at National Trust headquarters in Washington, D.C. The main number is now (202) 588-6000. To call individual headquarters offices, add the last three digits of the old number to the new telephone prefix 588-6XK:C Ir, it vi 6 v'' ` • I 1 Alexander •; Alexander Dedicated to helping Historic Preservation Forum members obtain property and casualty insurance specifically designed for the needs of preservationists. For more information about how we can help your organization design insurance coverage -tailored to your activities, policies and property ownership, contact: Alexander & Alexander of New York, Inc. 555 French Road P.O. Box 7091 Utica, NY 13504-7091 (800) 225-1027 preservation online by Cydne S. Nash Once you purchase the necessary computer hardware, the next step in accessing the Internet is to choose an Internet service provider. You can select a local provider or choose one of the three major national services, America Online, CompuServe, or Prodigy. All charge a minimum monthly fee for a block of time and an additional fee if you go beyond the specified number of hours. In July the fee was $9.95 for five hours; $2.95 for each additional hour. For a detailed rating of each service, consult Internet World magazine, March 1996. All three services provide e-mail and Internet access and support both Mac and Windows users. America Online (AOL), with five million subscribers the largest commercial service, includes The New York Times on line in its package of services. Recently, AOL began a partnership with Netscape, the `browser" through which AOL allows you to search the Internet To learn more, call AOL at (800) 827-6364 or visit their web site at http://w .aot.com. f o r u m MA , IRE Two reports recently released by the National Trust are now available at no charge to Historic Preservation Forttm members. This offer is limited to one copy of each report per member. To order your free copies, check the appropriate boxes below, complete the name/address information, and mail this coupon to: Preservation Forum, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036. CompuServe, with approximately three million subscribers, is the second largest commercial on-line service. CompuServe currently uses an efficient browser for the World Wide Web and offers easy access to the Net. Specialty features include IQuest InfoCenter (an information and reference center), Time magazine and Consumer Reports. Call CompuServe at (800) 428-5331 or visit their home page at http://w .compuserve.wm. Prodigy currently uses its own browser to access the Internet, but in the future it will allow access to Netscape. It offers Newsweek online. Telephone Prodigy at (800) 776-3449 or visit their web site at http://w .prodigymm. Cydne S. Nash is the Preserve Link administratorfbr the National Trust in Washington. Next issue she will write about the pros and cons of acing local Internet service providers. ❑ National Trust Service Delivery Survey Sunvnary A Service Delivery Survey was conducted by Peter Hatt Research, Inc., to determine what professional preservationists felt was the role of the National Trust in furthering the movement, what types of programs and services were most valuable, and what the relationship should be between the National'Frust and preservation organizations. ❑ National Trust Member Survey Summary Conducted by Peter Hart Research, Inc., the Member Survey was Member name designed to determine members' attitudes towards preservation Preservation Forum membership number and the National Trust, what benefits members expected and Address valued, what role the Trust should take in furthering the preserva- City State Zip tion movement, and general demographic information US out there SHOULD HISTORIC SITES TEACH PRESERVATION? by George McDaniel Each year about 600,000 people visit the 17 historic properties of the National Trust, while millions more visit historic sites across the nation. When they leave, what have these visitors learned about preservation? All too often, not much. Even though many historic sites are operated by historic preservation organizations, a sites interpretation often focuses on the history of the people, objects, and architecture of the site, giving little notice to the story of the site's preservation or to preservation issues facing the governing organization. Yet I would argue that these stories, well integrated into a sites interpretation, can have great power. They demonstrate that the preservation of the site did not just happen by accident or good fortune, but instead resulted from the dedication and hard work of people, not altogether different from the visitor, who believed that history was worth preserving and who acted on that conviction. Further, when preservation stories are presented in an engaging manner, they can inspire and equip visitors to look anew at historic resources in their own communities. Given the mounting pressures on historic sites, few can afford to sit idly by. One all but ubiquitous threat is the loss of the integrity of historic or scenic contexts. This context is essential, because visitors need space to reflect on what they have learned, to connect past and present. If visitors at Monticello, for instance, saw apartment complexes and subdivisions sprawled across the agrarian landscape, their under- standing of Jefferson and of his world view would be slighted. In 1994, 42 acres of faresdand directly across the Ashley River from Drayton Hall were offered to us for purchase. They were zoned for apartments and condominiums at 22 units per acre, development that would mar the ambience of this former plantation, established more than two and a half centuries ago. Essential to our fund-raising campaign was an effort to inform visitors of the threat and to show by way of a computer -enhanced photograph what the view might become. National Trust for Historic Preservation 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 Their response was positive, and the campaign proved successful In retrospect, we could have done more. For example, due in part to this threat, the Ashley River Historic District was listed among the Trust's "I I Most Endangered Historic Places." While we told visitors about the listing, we had few ways to show them the other places on the list, some of which might have interested them personally. We might thus have taught them more about the range of places that Preservation is concerned about, raised their appreciation of the Trust and of preservation in general, and garnered their support. What I have learned from this and other preservation campaigns is that visitors like to see the site and its parent organization engaged in preserving history. It's something they care about. They want to help the cause, and are more likely to join as new members or to renew existing memberships. Thus, we need to be more creative and strategic and find engaging ways to inform visitors of the issues we face. Exhibits, guided tours, written materials, interactive computer stations, the Internet, and so forth are but a few possibilities. Further, there might be a preservation issue critical to a state or the nation, for which visitors could be enlisted to voice their support. The recent campaign against Disney's proposed park in V rginia is an example, in which historic sites operated by preservation organizations engaged in the campaign could have helped inform visitors of the issues and given them an opportunity to communicate their concerns. Since every state has a historic preservation office, and since most have private statewide organizations, every American citizen visiting a site has a preser- vation organization available to him or her —a fact that most Americans do not know. Wouldn't it be helpful to find ways to inform them? The convergence of historic sites and historic preservation has the potential to bring more people directly into the process and to show that preservation is not something that a select few do, but instead is a movement that each American can join. V George McDaniel is the director of Drayton Hall, a National Trust historic site. EC915/777, CITY OF LA NTAEPb1g31y60I�I P.O. BOX 15 4 78-495 CALL AW®XbPLAQUINTA ATTN: JERRY MW DEPARTMEN"f� LA QUINTAL CA Periodicals Postage Washington DC 020 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION PROJECTED SIX MONTH SCHEDULE* HPC Meeting CLG Workshop HPC Meeting HPC Meeting HPC Meeting HPC Meeting HPC Meeting * Subject to change Im 10/10/96 October 17,1996 November 2,1996 November 21, 1996 December 19,1996 January 16,1997 February 20, 1997 March 20, 1997 (121