Minutes 04-14-2022-Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 modern consolidated black school in 1951 and now is a community center. He said those two are now officially listed on the Federal National Register. He said they are working on new local landmark properties, which will come to the Board of Commissioners for approval. He listed the four properties under consideration: Harvey's Chapel AME Church and its historic cemetery that is set back in the woods; Old Eno Quaker Cemetery, which is one of the few unowned tracts in Orange County and is maintained by the Quaker community; Davis Cotton Gin and Press, which is a rare surviving community cotton gin; and the David Faucette House, one of the best preserved antebellum houses in Orange County. He provided an update on the book project that the commission has been working on for several years. He said the book text is complete and it has been sent to their book advisor. He said they have pushed back the release date many times, but once they have the completed text, they have a contract to print the book. He said they reviewed outside agency funding applications from the Burwell School and from the museum. He said the applications they reviewed were some of the best they have received from these agencies. He said the dendrochronology project received a private grant and they will locate pieces of wood in historic structures to date using dendrochronology. He said they are working on a concept for a county historical marker project. He said the easiest way to accomplish the project is to make virtual markers that can be found using GPS. He said this will cost less than the physical markers. He said that it will be easy to use in the car or at home. He said they are Working to preserve endangered rural historic resources in the county, in particular historic buildings and black burial grounds. He said they want to extend small grants to owners so they can keep up historic sites on their properties. He said they want to research, map, and protect historic black burial grounds. He said they have been planning for the 2501h anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. He said they want to improve the diversity of the commission. Commissioner Greene said thanked them for the work. She said she is interested in the county's historic marker program. She asked with the digital marker, how people will know about the virtual marker project. Art Menius said they would need to use the app to locate the properties. He said people can see a property and use GPS to look up the facts about the property. Commissioner Greene said it would be important to use the visitor's center to promote this. Art Menius said that once the app is up and working then they will fully promote it. Chair Price asked about the publication date of the book. Art Menius said 2023. Chair Price asked about Ridge Road School and asked if any of the community members were working on the application. Peter Sandbeck said yes. He said the community is very engaged with the research. He said the community wants to pursue the National Register designation and will consider the county landmark designation later. He said they are contemplating the future of their church and school. Chair Price said she had a conversation with some of the folks at the National Register and they are working hard to preserve black schoolhouses. She said there are grant funds to help preserve black schools. She said the building needs some work. Peter Sandbeck said there is a lot still at the school, such as desks, books, and partitions. He said that once they are on the Historic Register, there will be additional funds for restoration that become available with that designation. He said that the county will pay for the Historic Register designation. Commissioner Richards asked if the commission is optimistic about receiving foundation funding for projects.