16 May Historic Preservation Symposium Celebrating 20th Anniversary of Bluffton’s Historic Designation
Historic Preservation Symposium Celebrating 20th Anniversary of Bluffton’s Historic Designation
The Town of Bluffton is hosting its inaugural historic preservation symposium, Thursday, May 19th at 5: 30 p.m. at Town Hall. The symposium, “The Bluffton Historic District: This Place Matters,” will bring together historic preservation organizations, residents, students, business owners and Town leaders to discuss the importance of preservation.
This symposium is a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the designation of the Bluffton Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places. In conjunction with Bluffton’s celebration, this event also honors the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
The symposium, featuring regional historic preservation experts, will provide an overview of historic preservation, benefits for town businesses and residents and educational/volunteer opportunities for those who wish to be more involved in local preservation.
“Part of what makes Bluffton so unique is our dedication to honor the stories of our past,” Mayor Lisa Sulka said. “Most towns and cities have a building or a site which speaks of the past. Bluffton has an entire district with many individual sites which collectively speak of how our former residents lived, worked and socialized on the same streets we walk on every day.
“Bluffton’s preservation projects are crucial assets to our culture and character as well as an economic opportunity in terms of tourism and business development.”
The event is free and all are welcome to attend.
The symposium will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a Meet & Greet of local historic preservation organizations including the Bluffton Historic Preservation Society, A Call to Action, Celebrate Bluffton, Bluffton Township Black History Historical Preservation Society, Palmetto Bluff Conservancy and the Cultural District.
A moderated panel will speak and take questions beginning at 6 p.m. Scheduled panel members are:
· Erin Schumacher, Bluffton’s senior planner/historic preservation and urban design
· Professor Jeff Ely, Historic Preservation Department, Savannah College of Art & Design
· Daniel Carey, President and CEO, Historic Savannah Foundation
· Benjamin Curran, Head of Historic Preservation Dept., Savannah Technical College
RSVP is requested, however not required. Please RSVP to Rocio Rexrode via (email: rrexrode@townofbluffton.com).
For more information:
Debbie Szpanka
Public Information Officer
Town of Bluffton
20 Bridge Street
Bluffton, South Carolina 29910
(Office): 843.706.4534
(Cell): 843.540.2274
(Email): dszpanka@townofbluffton.com