League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations

I’m reminding folks of the Historic Preservation Symposium on May 27-28.
Chamber of commerce, county and city officials are encouraged to attend to learn about how historic preservation and recycling old buildings can contribute to your communities’ economic development by preserving character and good architecture.

Related to that there is a new edition of a book out that I wish I had had 10 years ago. It is an “all in one place” reference for those new to the idea of historic preservation – “Historic Preservation – An Introduction to its History Principles and Practice” (2^nd Edition) by Norman Tyler.

It’s been my experience that the general public isn’t aware of the formal sense of historic preservation and if they are it is often immediately suspect because it is associated with possible extra costs plus restrictions on property rights and design. But the book discusses different perspectives and acknowledges different interpretations of how and what to preserve in adapting a community philosophy or policy.

The book is also a useful tool for learning about basic architectural styles. It discusses the distinction between preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction as well as tax credit possibilities and legalities involved.
When thinking of how to resist the temptation to immediately destroy old structures and cultural landscapes, the book provides basic facts about the process of recognizing historic places and preserving them. It provides a basis for considering alternative adaptive uses for property owners. Contact your local bookstore or ask the local library to purchase it.It would be a great review for the symposium.
Karen Prasse
President, League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations

The Places of the Past Digital Image Collection features digital images of local historic places of Snohomish County from the County courthouse to the Bryant corner store.
It also includes an article on how to find out about Tracing the History of a Home or Building
Below are the organizations and commissions involved in coordinating the preservation of these historic places.

• Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission
• Washington State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation includes new information on the Washington State Heritage Barn Register
• City of Snohomish Historical District
• Everett Historical Commission
• Edmonds Historical Commission
• Historic Everett – local non-profit dedicated to preserving Everett historic buildings
• King County Heritage and Preservation Programs
• National Register of Historic Places

For publications and help with preservation problems and projects like preserving wood windows, plaster walls, masonry, interior decoration, painting colors, seismic adaptations, landscapes, moisture problems, lead paint, preserving roofing materials, conserving energy etc., spend a little time searching the links below for assistance

• National Park Service – See Publications page, especially Preservation Briefs and Tech Notes.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Resources – background on preserving irreplaceable cultural resources on Federal Land.
• National Trust for Historic Preservation including the NTHP Weblog
• Washington [State] Trust for Historic Preservation
• PreservationDirectory.com – lists resources for promoting historic preservation and recycling buildings and older structures.
• Old House Journal.com
• Historic Seattle