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May is Preservation Month
Auburnians will join thousands of individuals around the country as part of a nationwide celebration of 2007 National Preservation Month in May 2007. "Making Preservation Work!" is the theme of the month-long celebration, which is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Since the National Trust created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts in America, it has grown into an annual celebration observed by small towns and big cities with events ranging form architectural and historic tours and award ceremonies, to fundraising events, educational programs and heritage travel opportunities.
Due to its overwhelming popularity, the National Trust has extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even longer opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country's cities and states, and enable more Americans to become involved in the growing preservation movement. The first official Preservation Month was observed in 2005.
Here in Auburn, Preservation Month 2007 will be observed by the Community Preservation Committee with a special presentation that was given by Mike Long at Willard Memorial Chapel on Sunday May 6th from 2 – 4PM. This special event was part of the CPC's "Tea and Tiffany Series" and highlighted local architecture with a tour of Downtown Auburn's Architecture through Film. The seminar walked the continuum Auburn's architectural life through 200 years of history, urban renewal and the future. After the seminar attendees enjoyed a "Victorian High Tea" served by Lilias Jones. Jones is the owner of A Touch of Country Bed and Breakfast in Scipio Center and specializes in High Tea at her establishment.
In addition, Sunday tours will be offered at Willard Memorial Chapel from 2 – 4PM during the month of May. Fourth grade students in the Passport to History Program are encouraged to take advantage of these additional operating hours to complete their passport with a visit to the chapel.
The next “Tea and Tiffany Series" event will be a walking tour of Historic South Street on Sunday, June 3rd. This tour will begin at the gazebo across from Memorial City Hall, and then attendees walk south along the street. This is an "at-your-own- pace" tour with several guides stationed along South Street. Learn about the many different architectural styles represented including Federal, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne and others.
On the return trip north, fine art will be exhibited and for sale on many porches for walkers to enjoy. The artwork will be displayed between 1 – 5PM. In conjunction with this event, the Auburn Schine’s Theatre will have a special display set up with various posters and pictures of the Schine in its "glory days." The public is encouraged to peruse the display in addition to the porch walk.
Iced tea will be served during the event, and everyone is encouraged to park at the municipal parking lot next to Seward House and start the walk at the gazebo. This event is free and open to the public. The walk itself is scheduled between 2 – 4PM.
For more information about National Preservation Month visit http://www.nationaltrust.org/preservationmonth/
The mission of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is to preserve and enhance the unique character of Auburn and Cayuga County through preservation education, advocacy and the conservation of a historically built environment. Its main project is the ongoing restorations of the Willard Memorial Chapel, "Tiffany Treasure of the Finger Lakes."
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