Agenda 02-10-2026; 1 - Boards and Commissions – Annual Work Plan Summaries

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9 • Historic Landmark Proiects: Currie-Neville Log House: initiated project to have early 1800s log house on Old NC 86 designated as a landmark. Important for its long ownership by a Black farm family and as a rare surviving example of log craftsmanship. • Black Burial Ground Project: Work started in 2025 on a long-term effort to document and map the county's many unprotected Black burial grounds, often associated with formerly enslaved communities. • Historic Interpretive Sign Projects: Harvey's Chapel AME Cemetery now in process of developing text for a sign to tell the story of the early days of the church and to inform visitors about the important early cemetery, to be located adjacent to the cemetery in the county's Seven Mile Creek Nature Area, along a new trail that will get hikers to the site. Black Veterans of the Cedar Grove Community: Collaborating with the Human Relations Commission to develop a new interpretive panel to tell the story of the many Black veterans from that community who served in the armed forces since WW I. Panel will be located at the Cedar Grove Community Center. • Historic Resources Book Project: completed editorial review of entire text; obtained final photographs (over 600), which are now undergoing digital editing and caption editing to confirm all details and credit lines. Final copy editing and design work is scheduled to begin in early 2026. (No fiscal impact—budgeted in past years) 4. Please list any specific tasks, events, or functions performed or sponsored annually. • Submits annual report of all activities to the State Historic Preservation Office to meet federal requirements for Certified Local Government status; entitles County to apply for federal historic preservation grants. Staff and members attend mandatory state training. • Administers the Orange County Historic Landmark Program, including reviews of proposed restoration work or additions through Certificates of Appropriateness. • Promotes the use of National Register designation projects as a way to highlight significant historic and archaeological resources, working in partnership with the Lands Legacy Program. • Educational field trips are provided for members, usually at least two per year, to allow members to view current or upcoming project sites or learn more about the county's historic resources. • Conducts reviews of proposed public infrastructure projects that might have an impact on historic resources, including cell towers, pipelines and highway projects. 5. Describe this board/commission's activities/accomplishments in carrying out the goals identified in the Orange County Strategic Plan. The HPC's work to promote the listing of properties on the National Register and designating Historic Landmarks supports objectives aligned with Goal 1: Environmental Protection and Climate Action, Obiective 7, the designation of these properties has furthered efforts to preserve historic farmland and rural cemeteries and their surrounding open spaces.