Va. HRC Presents: Preservation Through Documentation

An Introduction to the Heritage Documentation Programs (HABS/HAER/HALS), the Federal Government’s Oldest Preservation Program

Heritage Documentation Programs administers the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), the Federal Government’s oldest preservation program, and its companion programs: the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) and Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS). Documentation consisting of measured drawings, large format photography and historical reports produced through the programs constitutes the nation’s largest archive of historical architectural, engineering, and landscape documentation. The HABS/HAER/HALS Collection is housed at the Library of Congress where it is made available to a world-wide audience.

Learning Objectives

  • Learn the history of the HABS, HAER, and HALS programs.
  • Explain the three interconnected components of HABS/HAER/HALS documentation used to record historic sites.
  • Describe the relationship of the Heritage Documentation Programs and The Library of Congress.
  • Learn how HDP measured drawing documentation methodology has changed over time.
  • Discover HABS/HAER/HALS competitions open to students and professionals, and employment opportunities for students and recent graduates.
  • Appreciate Heritage Documentation Programs resources available to guide and assist students and professionals in recording historic structures and sites for HABS/HAER/HALS Collection in The Library of Congress.

Earn 1.0 AIA LU | Elective

Register online.

Virginia HRC Presents: Lowcountry At High Tide

A History of Flooding, Land Reclamation, and Drainage in Charleston, South Carolina, 1680 to the Present

Join Virginia’s Historic Resources Committee for our bi-monthly lunch and learn program featuring a book talk with author and American College of Building Arts educator Christina Butler.

Earn 1.0 AIA LU | HSW

Register online.

HRC Storytime: My Weird Project

Posted on by cguske

If you’ve worked in historic preservation, you’ve come across some pretty weird and wonderful stuff. To kick off the re-constitution of Virginia’s Historic Resources Committee, we’re hosting a social event on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. Got an unusual case study? A fascinating discovery? A horror story? Let’s hear ‘em!

Join us to hear strange but true tales from the world of historic preservation and get to know some of your preservation colleagues from around Virginia.

Register online and let us know if you’d like to share a story (or have us share one on your behalf).

HRC Storytime: My Weird Project

Grab your favorite beverage and join your fellow preservation professionals to swap stories about your weirdest, wildest, or most surprising project. Prefer to remain anonymous? No problem! Submit your story in advance and our hosts will tell it on your behalf.

Earn 1.5 AIA LU

Register

Call for HRC Steering Committee Members

Posted on by cguske

A group of members in the historic preservation community are reinvigorating Virginia’s Historic Resources Committee (VHRC). If you’re interested in serving on a steering committee which will help envision and plan programming, let us know.

The mission of the VHRC is to identify, understand, and preserve architectural heritage within the Commonwealth of Virginia. VHRC is engaged in promoting the role of historic preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive use within the profession through the development of information and knowledge among members, allied professional organizations, and the public.

Historic Resources Committee Planning Event

Posted on by cguske

back-springThe Virginia Historic Resources Committee (HRC) kicks off 2014 with a luncheon and a tour on Jan. 16, 2014, at the Virginia Center for Architecture beginning at noon.

The mission of the Virginia HRC is to identify, understand, and preserve Virginia’s rich architectural heritage. HRC is engaged in promoting the role of the historic architect within the profession through the development of information and knowledge among members, allied professional organizations, and the public.

Members of the HRC invite all those interested in historic preservation to join them as they discuss the program of events for the Society’s centennial year. The $15 fee covers lunch.

Register >>

Dilapidated Church with Romeo and Juliet Story Inspires Documentation Project

Posted on by cguske

Founding member of Virginia Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architect (Va. IFRAA) William Robson, AIA, is seeking professionals and students to field measure and document a historic church building that is nearing a point of collapse. It would be an effort to capture in drawings and photographs an historic Virginia church — and perhaps even reverse the course of decay by building  public awareness. Robson hopes to also create a written narrative outlining the back-story of the building and its place in the local history. He noted that members of Va. IFRAA and the Virginia Historic Resources Committee (Va. HRC) might be particularly interested in participating.

The church, on Route 522 in Culpeper County, is known locally as “The Winston Family Chapel.”  The brownstone chapel, built around 1908, has been unused for many years and is falling into disrepair.  An inquiry with local residents revealed a compelling story of human drama. The chapel was constructed around 1908 by the patriarch of the Winston family, who apparently was quite wealthy. His will allocated the ownership, care, and maintenance of the chapel to the Winston family decedents. As the locals tell the story, the Winstons were at odds with another local family, the Somervilles. The Somervilles constructed their own church in a place called Mitchels, also in Culpeper County (and apparently still standing today).

As time went on, the families remained at odds, with the exception of two young lovers who, as you may have guessed, ended up getting married, linking the two families. As time passed, the Winston family members have all passed away, and through inheritance, all assets (including the chapel) ended up in the hands of the Somerville family. As Paul Harvey said “the rest of the story” is evident.

There is one remaining descendent, who is a Somerville.

Robson hopes to gather a team to implement this project and potentially present the results at Architecture Exchange East or another suitable venue.  When this team has been assembled, one of the first tasks will be to approach the remaining Somerville family member to request permission to undertake the documentation.  The potential exists for generating considerable local enthusiasm and goodwill, based on initial inquiries.

If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Bill Robson at wrobson@msn.com.

 

New HRC Tour Announced

Posted on by cguske

2710 Monument Ave, renovation by Dovetail ConstructionIn addition to the April 4 tour of Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, the Virginia Historic Resources Committee announces another event to what is quickly becoming a rich package of programming developed by the committee.   Here’s more about this event:

Dovetail Construction Offices and 2710 Monument Avenue 
Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Situated in a former electric railway car barn, Dovetail Construction renovated the space built in 1907 in the heart of Richmond for their offices.  The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, certified LEED platinum, and a net zero energy commercial office

Following a visit to the Dovetail offices, the HRC has been invited to a private tour of 2710 Monument Avenue.  The historic 1914 mansion is undergoing a significant renovation and restoration.  The owners, Paul and Julie Weissend (who also own Dovetail Construction), are blogging about the process at www.monumentalrenovation.com.

The $40 registration fee includes box lunch. Register here>>