Celebrate local heritage on historic Courthouse Square

Monday, May 6, 2013

Thirty years ago, the newly established Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County (HPS) organized its inaugural Heritage Preservation Fair.

Since that first May, HPS has gone through cycles of growth and dormancy to a revitalized organization active for the cause of preserving our community's historic structures and character.

Ntional Preservation Month is observed annually in May by the National Trust for Historic Preservation through the local advocacy of Main Street and preservation organizations like HPS.

This year's theme is "See! Save! Celebrate!" spotlights visitors and residents to see a community's historic places, work to save them, and celebrate their vital role in a community.

With activities throughout May, HPS is focusing on Heritage Celebration Day, Saturday, May 11, to present the four historic districts of Greencastle.

Unique to a city the size of Greencastle, the three neighborhood districts, Northwood, Old Greencastle and the Eastern Enlargement, recently joined the historic Putnam County Courthouse Square on the National Register of Historic Places.

"The Society has long recognized the importance of preserving the architectural character and the heritage of the families who made them home," Phil Gick, past president of HPS and Historic Assets Committee chairman, noted. "During the survey process it became clear you could recognize the development of a community by its architecture."

On Saturday, HPS will present to the community brochures listing all the contributing structures in the National Register Neighborhood Districts. Each brochure includes pictures and narratives of several of the contributing structures; an updated brochure for the Courthouse Square will be published once the Stellar Community Grant project is completed.

The neighborhood brochures will be available at Eli's Bookstore, the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau, Putnam County Public Library, Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, as well as other locations to be identified.

The highlight of Heritage Day will be guide-walking tours in three of the four districts. The courthouse square guided tour will be hosted by Mayor Sue Murray and depart from Eli's Bookstore on the square at 9 a.m.

At 10 a.m. the tour of Northwood, hosted by Mike Murphy, HPS president, will first gather at the Greencastle Fire Station before departing for the old Putnam County Hospital to start the tour.

Gathering and departing from the Greencastle Fire Station at 10:30 a.m. will be the tour for the Eastern Enlargement conducted by Gick at 10:30 a.m.

The Greencastle Fire Station is also hosting the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, starting at 7 a.m.

Other events on Heritage Celebration Day will be highlighted by the individual organizations. They include the Greencastle Farmers Market; appraisal of one antique item at Vintage on Franklin Street; a bake sale by the Christian Women's Fellowship at the historic First Christian Church, and an artist sale and lecture at the library.

In addition, the Putnam County Museum, Ivy Tech Community College, the Putnam County Public Library, and other organizations will be announcing events to help "See!, Save!, and Celebrate!" Preservation Month in Putnam County.

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