Month: September 2014

Spotlight Series: A neglected architectural gem in North Philadelphia

September 24, 2014 / Guest Contributor / 2 Comments

The Spotlight Series is an occasional series that highlights interesting people, places, programs, and partner organizations working on historic preservation issues.

At the turn of the last century, the 2200 block of West Tioga Street was a fashionable address for business owners and professionals. Homes were up to 5,800 square feet, housing large families and live-in servants.

Architect Edgar Viguers Seeler designed the gem of the block — an 1898 chateau-style twin at 2224-26 West Tioga – for two families that owned the Conkling-Armstrong Terra Cotta Co. In fact, it was an ornate showpiece for their business: making architectural ornamentation. It featured columns encrusted with floral detail, ornate stringcourses and porch balustrades, all made of terra cotta. Combining his training from the Philadelphia Museum and School of Industrial Art, MIT, and the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris, Seeler was able to design ornate structures that spanned multiple aesthetics. Continue reading

Unscripted: an archaeologist’s journey into the world of film production

September 17, 2014 / Kira Heinrich / 0 Comments

In my position here at BHP, I am involved in a wide variety of activities, in addition to my primary job duty, review of compliance projects in the Western Region for archaeology. Most of these activities center on keeping all the internal bits and parts of BHP moving, including processing archaeological reports for final storage in our archive, collaborating on updating our Guidelines for Archaeological Investigation, or chairing the committee on addressing our bureau storage and archive issues. All of these activities keep me entirely within my Historic Preservation, Cultural Resource Management comfort zone. Like all comfort zones, though, it can sometimes get, well, a little too comfortable. Back in the summer of 2011, looking for a change of pace, I volunteered to manage a PennDOT/Federal Highways (FHWA) mitigation project: a short film about historic bridges aimed at inspiring public interest in bridge advocacy. Did I know anything about historic bridges? Nope. Did I know anything about producing films? Nope. Did I know a great deal about public advocacy? Nope. Piece of cake, right? Continue reading

The slate roof and chimneys of the Howard Riegel Residence, an historic resource contributing to the Easton Historic District (Easton, PA), sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy’s high-force winds in October 2012. Repairs are nearly complete; the chimneys have since been restored and the slate roof has been stabilized.

2nd Time Around: PaSHPO Accepting Pre-Application Materials for the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Recovery Grant Program for Historic Properties through October 10

September 11, 2014 / Jeremy R. Young / 0 Comments

Last call! On September 2, the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PaSHPO) began accepting its second and final round of Part 1 submissions for its Hurricane Sandy Disaster Recovery Grant Program for Historic Properties. Submissions will be accepted through October 10. Continue reading

Intern Insights: The Buckaloons

September 10, 2014 / Guest Contributor / 1 Comment

Hi y’all, I’m Meghan Rooney and I had the amazing opportunity to intern with PHMC-BHP all summer. I am a senior at Shippensburg University, studying Public Administration with dual minors in History and International Studies. I had a blast working with the BHP staff and on my project, The Irvine Estate/Buckaloons. Continue reading

Special Announcement: New Position open at the PA SHPO!

September 4, 2014 / Tom Held / 0 Comments

There is an immediate opening for the following position with the PA Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) Continue reading

Community Preservation Workshop in Altoona September 18th

September 4, 2014 / Tom Held / 0 Comments

Altoona Cultural Resources Essentials Focus: Community Preservation Workshop

Where:	Altoona Heritage Discovery Center 1421-1427 12th Avenue Altoona, PA 16601
When:	Thursday, September 18th 2014, 9AM–4PM
Partners:	Allegheny Ridge Corporation Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission’s Bureau of Historic Preservation Preservation PA
Sponsor:	Middle PA Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (MPCAIA)
Cost:	Free admission for the general public $60 for AIA architects seeking CES credit
Lunch:	Provided for paying attendees $10 for the general public
RSVP:	Please email cpequignot@alleghenyridge.org by NOON Monday, September 15th

New Projects and New Faces at the PaSHPO

September 3, 2014 / Cory Kegerise / 0 Comments

The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office has multiple roles and frequently has many irons in the fire. Among the responsibilities that people are most familiar with are facilitating National Register nominations, assisting tax credit applicants, managing grants, advising community leaders, reviewing state and Federally-assisted project, and maintaining historical markers. But from time to time, the office has the opportunity to delve into other projects and issues that will help Pennsylvania’s communities better preserve and enhance historic places. There are a number of special projects underway right now and two new staff members, Jeremy Young and Shelby Weaver-Splain, have recently come aboard to manage these programs.

Jeremy and Shelby joined the PaSHPO staff in July 2014 and I asked each of them to share a little bit about their backgrounds, interests, and projects. Continue reading