HPC agenda 120920 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the ring count and spacing between rings can be used to determine the age of the original timbers found in historic buildings. This will support the historic resources book project by providing accurate construction dates for some of the most important historic buildings in the County and Hillsborough. (No fiscal impact) • Old Courthouse Historical and Architectural Research: Assisted by experienced consultants, the HPC will undertake a project to document the many alterations and changes to the Old Orange County Courthouse, in preparation for the upcoming CIP project. Findings will be used to develop high quality interpretive exhibits about the courthouse and its history. (Funding already approved in prior year budget) • Promote diversity in the Landmark and National Register Programs: The HPC will continue to recognize more diverse historic resources through the Local Historic Landmark and National Register programs, with special focus on African American sites and other overlooked or threatened historic resources. The HPC seeks to generate at least two new landmark and/or National Register applications per year (No fiscal impact—already budgeted in the Lands Legacy program funding) • Increase focus on Archaeological Resources: Our county possesses a wealth of historic and pre-historic archaeological resources that help illuminate the history and cultural of all our people, ranging from the Indian cultures thousands of years ago to our earliest African and European settlers. The HPC will explore ways to highlight the importance of these resources and share them with the general public. • North Carolina Celebration of the USA 250th Anniversary: The HPC will form a subcommittee to identify sites in the county that can be highlighted and included in planning efforts at the state and local levels to prepare for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2025-2026. The HPC will coordinate with other local historic sites and museums. • Designating Landmarks in Town ETJ's: Develop a final draft interlocal agreement with the various municipalities to govern the designation of historic landmarks within the various town's ETTs; work with municipalities to seek adoption of agreement (No fiscal impact) What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming year that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention? • Preservation of endangered rural historic resources: There are numerous endangered historic resources in rural Orange County that merit preservation. The few remaining historic two-room black schools that closed in the 1950s are seriously threatened, as are surviving rural slave cemeteries. Many deteriorated log cabins and farm buildings that tell important stories about Orange County's history will be lost in the next decade. Most of these are owned by farm families who face financial challenges and cannot justify spending money on structures that have no use. The HPC wishes to develop a small-scale grant program to assist owners with basic repairs to preserve these rural landmarks, by providing matching funds for owners who are willing to participate. The HPC plans to seek grant funding from foundations to help start this program, to be matched by a modest level of County funding. -5-