Title
2017 Preservation Month Theme
Recommended Action
Discussion only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on possible themes and partnerships for 2017 Preservation Month
Staff Contact:
Michelle Sadlier, Historic Preservation Officer, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8031
Background and Analysis:
Each year, communities around the U.S. celebrate Preservation Month in May. For more information on this nation-wide program, visit these websites:
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: <https://savingplaces.org/this-place-matters#.WIALTXkzWUk>
• National Register of Historic Places (National Park Service): <https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/presmonth/index.htm>
• City of Tacoma: <http://www.cityoftacoma.org/in_the_news/historic_preservation_month>
The Heritage Commission traditionally chooses a theme and develops one or more outreach activities around the theme. Last year, the Commission partnered with a number of community organizations around the theme of “Labor in Olympia - This Place Matters”. These organizations included:
• Olympia Arts Commission,
• Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council,
• Washington State Archives,
• Washington State Historical Society,
• Olympia Downtown Association (Olympia’s Main Street)
• Olympia-Tumwater Foundation, and
• Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum.
Activities included the dedication of the “Dignity in Labor” sculpture, a labor-themed trivia night, and a number of lectures.
This year we’ll aim to select a theme in January so the Outreach Committee and staff have time to bring in as many other organizations as possible and generate community interest in celebrating the places that matter to Olympia.