The Preservation Trust of Vermont, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, and the Town of Brandon present

The 14th Annual Historic Preservation Conference:

The Arts, Historic Preservation and Community Development

Friday May 2, 2008 ~  Brandon , Vermont  

9:30  Welcome to Brandon: Brandon Multigenerational Band

9:45  Welcome: Paul Bruhn, Executive Director, Preservation Trust of Vermont and Jane Lendway, Vermont State Historic Preservation Officer

Morning Plenary

9:50    Keynote Speaker: David Macaulay 

David Macaulay is the well known author and illustrator of internationally award winning books that explore how things were constructed and how they work.  Subjects and titles include the construction of a Roman city (City), the building of medieval fortresses (Castle), the evolution of a New England mill town (Mill), the making of tall skyscrapers and the loss of a local landmark (Unbuilding), the secret of a city’s hidden support system (Underground). Macaulay is the creator of the international bestseller The Way Things Work, which was expanded and updated in 1998 and is now The New Way Things Work. In 2000, Houghton Mifflin Company published Macaulay’s Building Big, the companion book to the successful PBS series, which explores the engineering feats behind bridges, tunnels, dams, domes, and skyscrapers.  His newest book explores the amazing science of human physiology.  David Macaulay lives in Norwich with his family.

10:45  Brandon In Their Own Words Panel moderator, Paul Bruhn

11:20  History of Brandon  Kevin Thornton

11:35  Art Fits Vermont !  Diane Scolero , Vermont Arts Council

It’s been nearly two years since Palettes of Vermont took the state by a storm.  On April 16 the Arts Council launched a new statewide arts project: Art Fits Vermont!  Diane Scolaro will describe the statewide community arts project.  Afterward, stop by the Arts Council resource table for a puzzle piece!

11:45  Thank you, Sponsors!  Ann Cousins

11:50  Conference Photo on the Town Hall Steps

12:00 – 1:30 Box Lunch: Friends of the Town Hall Fundraiser

Please pre-order one.  All sandwiches will be served with red bliss potato salad, fruit garnish, an oatmeal cookie or brownie, and water.

Curried Chicken Salad
Poached Breast of Chicken, Celery, Apples, Scallions & Dried Cranberries dressed in a light Curry Mayonnaise with Lettuce in a Wheat Wrap

Vermont B.L.T.
Smoked Turkey Breast, Bacon, Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayo in a Pita Pocket or Baguette

Hummus and Roasted Vegetables
Squash, Eggplant, Onions, Peppers & Mushrooms with Hummus in a wheat Wrap

Neshobe Salad
Mesclun Greens with Marinated Chicken, Chevre Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, Artichoke Hearts and Black Olives - Maple Vinaigrette

Neshobe Salad without chicken

Concurrent Afternoon Workshops: Please check the times carefully as different workshops run for different lengths of time. 

A  1:30-2:20   From Big Retail to Local Entrepreneurship
When Bellows Falls was faced with the eminent closing of their downtown hardware store, residents called a community meeting to brainstorm how to keep it open.  In the end, Jeremy Haskins left his management position at Dick’s Sporting Goods and, with his family, purchased the hardware store.  Today he runs the downtown store and brings to the job managerial experience from Dick’s and Wal-Mart. In Richmond , Michael Comeau bought the Corner Market bringing years of Grand Union management experience to a village center market.  Robert McBride leads an interactive discussion with Jeremy, Mike, and the audience to explore how communities benefit when entrepreneurs leave big retail to go into business for themselves.

B  1:30-2:20  Historic Preservation + Green Technology = Neshobe Lofts
For years, the old Brandon High School sat empty.  There were several attempts to develop adaptive reuse plans, but they didn’t quite work out until last year when a former NPS Historic Preservationist, Frank [Chip] Briscoe combined green building technology and historic preservation principles to create Neshobe Lofts.  Join Chip and architect Jay White of Robert Carl Williams Associates, Pittsfield , VT for a tour of the condominium project. AIA /CES Self Reporting Forms will be available for this workshop.

C  1:30-3:20  Historic Commissioners and Planners Workshop
Pratt Cassity is the former Director of the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC).  Pratt and VDHP staff will present afternoon training for Historic Preservation Commissioners, Planners, and others involved in historic preservation planning.  NAPC has long been a partner of the National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers in providing training manuals and courses for Certified Local Government and Planning Officials.  At National Trust for Historic Preservation Conferences, Pratt Cassity’s infamous teaching style has made his Guerrilla Design Review and Secretary of Interior Standards Workshop among the most popular agenda items.

D  1:30-4:00  Pigs, Chairs, Boxes and Food: The Art of Community Revitalization
Space is limited to 25.  The Arts were instrumental in bringing about a Renaissance in Brandon .  Warren Kimble will lead a tour of Brandon Green Park , Brandon Artists Guild, and the Granary, an incubator workshop for artists and businesses, that are helping to fuel the Brandon economy.  The tour will end at Café Provence for the Art of Good Food! a cooking demonstration with Chef Robert Barral while Warren and Chef Robert chat about what communities can do to attract a chef-owned restaurant. 

E  1:30-4:00 Guided Tour of the Forestdale Iron Works
Space is limited to 25.  Join Vic Rolando for a guided tour of the grounds and remains of the Green Mountain Iron Company at the Forestdale Iron Works State Historic Site, located about 3 miles northeast of Brandon Village . These ironworks were a significant operation during the mid-19th century, and included a blast furnace (still standing), puddling furnaces, and a foundry that turned out cast iron stoves, kettles, and pig iron for the nation’s slowly expanding economy. With the general demise of the iron industry throughout the northeast, however, the Forestdale works closed by the end of the Civil War and lay relatively forgotten until donated to the State in the 1970s.  The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tour will include inspection and discussion of the remains of the operations, from the waterpower system to the rehabilitated blast furnace stack to remnants of workers’ housing during the easy one-mile wilderness tramp. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring your cameras. 

F  2:30–3:20  CSEs: Community Owned and Supported Enterprises
Across the state, residents are taking stock of the business mix in their communities and empowering new or expanded businesses through Community Supported Enterprises.  Last year, Sharon Earhart shared her story about starting the community-owned Powell Mercantile.  This year, Paul Bruhn leads an interactive discussion with Linda Ramsdell (Galaxy Bookstore, Hardwick) and Dave Stember (Craftsbury General Store) about CSEs work and how they’re helping with the start-up of a Hardwick restaurant and expansion of the Craftsbury General Store.

G  2:30-3:20    Open Houses: Stephen Douglas House and Brandon Baptist Church
Stephen A. Douglas was born here in Brandon in 1813.  Growing up, he was employed in farm work and, briefly, was an apprentice cabinet maker before attending the Brandon Academy .  At the age of 20 he moved to Illinois where he followed a career in law and politics.  He was nominated for President of the United States by the Democratic Party in 1852 and 1856.  In 1858 he sought reelection to the Senate and engaged Abraham Lincoln in the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates.  While Douglas won that election, the debates launched Abraham Lincoln’s national career. 

The Douglas House, near downtown Brandon , like many historic house museums faced economic and upkeep challenges.  A new partnership with the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing new life to the Douglas birthplace and assuring that this historic site will remain open for visitors.  Blaine Cliver and architect Jay White of Robert Carl Williams Associates, Pittsfield , VT will be on hand to talk about the site, its rehabilitation, and new use plans.  AIA/CES Self Reporting Forms are available for this workshop.

Next door to the Douglas House, the historic Brandon Baptist Church has been a town landmark since early 1832.  On November 26, 1950, a powerful hurricane toppled the steeple. Crashing through the roof, the steeple drove like a spear through the main sanctuary, causing extensive damage. The cost of replacing the spire was prohibitive, and the building remained without one for 50 years. In 2000, a group of local citizens raised money for a new steeple, and the church was restored to its original appearance.  Today, the new steeple holds a key for sustainability.  Architect Tom Keefe will be on hand to discuss steeple designs that serve as a stealth telecommunication antennas.  AIA /CES Self Reporting Forms are available for this workshop.

H  2:30-4:00 Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
You are invited to come for part or all of this open meeting of the Advisory Council.  Agenda includes a discussion of barns and review of National Register of Historic Places Nominations.

I  3:30-4:20  Bisected by a Highway
Vermont ’s major highways cut through numerous downtowns and village centers.  Some towns have considered by-passes as a solution, but this option entails a lengthy planning process, is very expensive, and reroutes shoppers as well trucks. Is there a better solution? This session will explore alternatives using traffic calming and truck routes.

J  3:30–4:20  Downtown and Village Center Tax Credits
Join Chris Cochran for a how-to discussion about Designated Downtown and Village Center Tax Credits.  Learn how this program can help lower the cost of rehabilitation for private commercial and non-profit-owned building improvements. Bring questions and problems for Chris!  AIA /CES Self Reporting Forms are available for this workshop.

Closing Reception  4:15-5:30 .  Please join us for a closing reception at the Brandon Inn !

ACCESSIBILITY: Please contact us with any special needs elise@ptvermont.org or 802-658-6647.

Registration

• $50 Registration before April 23rd, includes lunch and a $5 donation to Friends of the Old Town Hall

• $25 Brandon Residents before April 23rd

• $65 Registration after April 23rd

To Register

• If you wish to pay with a credit card, please REGISTER ONLINE HERE

• If you wish to pay with a check, you can:

• Go to a Printable Registration Page (to be mailed in) or

• Request a Conference information to be mailed to you
  elise@ptvermont.org (802) 658-6647