Orange County NC Website
3 <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. National Register Approval for Cedar Grove School and the Schley Grange Hall <br /> The Board considered the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) recommendation <br /> that the historic properties known as the Cedar Grove School and the Schley Grange Hall be <br /> approved and forwarded to the State Historic Preservation Office for listing in the National <br /> Register of Historic Places and authorizing the Chair to sign. <br /> Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator reviewed this information below, <br /> presented a PowerPoint (photos only) of both sites, as well as an oral history. <br /> BACKGROUND: The federal process for listing a property in the National Register of Historic <br /> Places include a provision giving the BOCC the opportunity to offer a recommendation <br /> supporting or opposing the listing of historic properties within its jurisdiction. The HPC fully <br /> supports the nomination of these properties to the National Register. As required, the HPC held <br /> a public hearing and received public comment about these proposed National Register listings <br /> at its regular meeting on January 22, 2020. <br /> DEAPR contracted with consultants to prepare the National Register Reports to promote <br /> recognition for properties of special historical, architectural or cultural significance to Orange <br /> County. This is an ongoing HPC program to protect and preserve historic resources. Funding <br /> was provided through the County's Lands Legacy Program, which includes as one of its <br /> priorities the protection of"lands of historic, cultural, or archaeological significance." <br /> The National Register is an honorary designation that carries no local regulatory burden, but <br /> does provide a federal and state process for protection in the case of projects receiving federal <br /> or state funding, or projects that require some form of federal or state permit or license. <br /> The attached excerpts from the National Register Reports provide brief statements on the <br /> significance and describe how the properties meet the applicable National Register criteria <br /> (Attachments 1 and 2). <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: The National Register Reports were funded in part from the Lands <br /> Legacy Program budget for FY 2018-19. The Cedar Grove School cost was $3,500 (less than <br /> usual cost due to DEAPR staff providing much of the research). The Schley Grange Hall cost <br /> totaled $2,750 in County funds, plus $2,750 in matching funds provided by the Schley Grange. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he enjoyed hearing the history of these two important <br /> buildings. He said the Grange was very active and then fell off years ago, but has been revived <br /> by some of the originally involved families. <br /> Peter Sandbeck said this is so true, and the Grange is really on solid footing these days. <br /> Commissioner Price said compliments to all for bringing this about. She said historic <br /> preservation is typically about the best of the best, and preserving places that have such a <br /> legacy is so important. She said at one time both buildings were going to be deconstructed, but <br /> community activism saved them. She said both of these buildings were built and existed during <br /> the days of segregation, but they are no longer this way. <br /> Chair Rich asked if the County will have any responsibility for these sites if they are <br /> placed onto the national registry. <br /> Peter Sandbeck said this is an honorary program, not a regulatory one, and the County <br /> is expected to follow the advice of its HPC in terms of preserving the character and appearance <br /> of the buildings, and trying to maintain them in good condition. He said the County would have <br /> no official review control over it, and the expectation exists, but without a "hammer". He said <br />