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Post Office Closures; Another Blow to Rural Kansas
Below is a list of Kansas communities that have been notified that their post office may be closed. This list represents twenty-four percent of the communities in Kansas.
Editor's note: If you own an historic buildings affected by this issue, contact Kate Watson katewatson@kansasofolde. For more info on rural post office closures, follow Marci Penner and Kansas Sampler on Facebook or her blog, http://kansassampler.blogspot.com/.
Abbyville
Admire
Alden
Alexander
Alton
Arcadia
Athol
Atlanta
Aurora
Barnard
Barnes
Belpre
Bendena
Benedict
Bentley
Beverly
Bluff City
Bogue
Bremen
Brookville
Brownell
Burdett
Burdick
Cambridge
Cassoday
Catharine
Cedar
Cedar Point
Centerville
Chautauqua
Circleville
Collyer
Coolidge
Crestline
Cummings
Damar
Danville
Delia
Denison
Dennis
Dexter
Dover
Durham
Edson
Elk Falls
Elmdale
Emmett
Englewood
Ensign
Esbon
Falun
Florence
Fontana
Formoso
Freeport
Frontenac
Garfield
Gaylord
Geuda Springs
Grantville
Green
Haddam
Hamilton
Hardtner
Havana
Hepler
Herndon
Hollenberg
Home
Hudson
Hunter
Isabel
Kanorado
Argentine
Kendall
Kincaid
Kirwin
Latham
Lehigh
Long Island
Longford
Lorraine
Lost Springs
Mahaska
Mapleton
Marienthal
Mayfield
Milan
Morganville
Morrill
Morrowville
Munden
Murdock
Muscotah
Narka
Nashville
Neal
Neosho Falls
Neosho Rapids
Netawaka
New Cambria
Niotaze
Norcatur
Offerle
Oketo
Olmitz
Opolis
Palmer
Paradise
Park
Pawnee Rock
Peru
Piedmont
Piqua
Potwin
Powhattan
Prairie View
Ramona
Randall
Rantoul
Raymond
Republic
Richfield
Robinson
Rock
Rosalia
Roxbury
Sawyer
Sharon
Simpson
Soldier
Stark
Summerfield
Sun City
Sycamore
Sylvia
Talmage
Tyro
Viola
Virgil
Wakarusa
Waldo
Webber
Welda
West Mienral
Westphalia
White Cloud
Wilmore
Windom
Woodbine
Woodston
Zenda
Kansas U.S. Congressional Delegation:
http://www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/maps/federal_house_rep.htmlt
Historic Inventory
More than 58,000 historic resources in Kansas have been inventoried in the Kansas Historic Resources Inventory (KHRI) online database? The database is free to use so anyone can search for information on historic properties in Kansas or even enter information about properties not yet documented.
A new, upgraded version of the website was released and we are extremely proud to show it off. More info is available at: http://www.kshs.org/khri with new features including an interactive map!
The site was built and is maintained by the Data Access & Support Center (DASC) of the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas. The recent upgrades were funded, in part, by the Historic Preservation Fund through the Kansas Historical Society.
------ Katrina L. Ringler
Kansas Historical Society
785-272-8681 ext. 215
The Creating American Prosperity Through Preservation Act; A Note to Kansas Preservation Advocates: I am writing to encourage you and your organizations to join the National Trust for Historic Preservation and more than fifty other partners nationwide in support of the Creating American Prosperity through Preservation Act and the Historic Homeownership Revitalization Act. The Creating American Prosperity through Preservation Act would increase the federal historic tax credit from 20% to 30% on projects within Main Street Districts, making downtown revitalization more feasible. The Historic Homeownership Revitalization Act would create a 20% federal tax credit for projects on listed homes. For more information on the two programs, see http://www.preservationnation.org/issues/rehabilitation-tax-credits/. Both programs will encourage the type of labor-intensive preservation projects that are proven to create jobs.
2011 Kansas Preservation Alliance Awards for Excellence Announced Each year the Kansas Preservation Alliance, Inc. recognizes exemplary efforts in historic preservation across the state of Kansas. The 2011 Awards for Excellence were presented June 2 at the Kansas Preservation Conference in Topeka. The following projects received awards. Lawrence Carnegie Library, Lawrence -- Medallion Award for Rehabilitation to the City of Lawrence. Constructed in 1904 and expanded in 1937, this former library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Treanor Architects with AB Bradley Construction designed the rehabilitation project, which included structural assessment and stabilization, interior rehabilitation, and a sensitively designed rear addition providing an accessible entrance, elevator, and bathrooms. Lowell Elementary School, Kansas City -- Medallion Award for Rehabilitation to Historic Lowell Lofts, LLC. Constructed in 1897, this former school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was severely deteriorated before adaptation into 26 apartments for low-income senior citizens. Byers Gunn and Hart Architects collaborated with Gastinger Walker Harden Architects on the rehabilitation design and Foutch Brothers served as the project contractor. St. Joseph Church, Mount Hope -- Honor Award for interior restoration to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita. Established in 1880, the St. Joseph congregation dedicated this church in 1914. A February 2010 fire damaged the sanctuary and this award honors the sensitive interior cleaning and restoration completed by designer, Robert Elliott, and contractor, Dondlinger Construction. 1120 Rhode Island, Lawrence -- Honor Award for Rehabilitation to Lawrence Preservation Alliance. Long vacant and deteriorated, this residence was a contributing resource in the North Rhode Island Street National Register Historic District. The successful partnership between the Lawrence Preservation Alliance and Tenants to Homeowners provided much-needed affordable housing. Sedan Opera House, Sedan -- Preservation Stewardship Award to Roger Floyd Constructed around 1900, this historic commercial building housed a hardware store with an opera house on the second floor. Heckman & Associates completed the architectural design work and Sutherland Builders completed the rehabilitation work, which included the reconstruction of an appropriate cornice along the top of the building. St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, Lawrence -- Preservation Stewardship Award to St. Luke AME Church. Constructed in 1910, this church has been an anchor in Lawrence's African-American community for 101 years. Hernly Associates and Wilcott Construction carried out structural stabilization of the roof structure and revealed the vaulted ceiling of the interior sanctuary. H. W. Gates Funeral Home, Kansas City, -- Preservation Stewardship Award to MPM Heartland House. Constructed in 1922 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this former funeral home was adapted for use as offices by Helix Architecture and McCown Gordon Construction. The Neoclassical building is located just one block west of the University of Kansas Medical Center. Judy Billings, Lawrence -- Preservation Advocacy Award. As director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau and the chair of the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area planning committee, Ms. Billings has created an effective partnership between tourism and preservation. Kansas Aviation Museum, Wichita -- Preservation Advocacy Award. This nonprofit group effectively saved the 1935 Art Deco style Wichita Air Terminal from demolition. Closed in 1982 and severely deteriorated, this historically Kansas aviation landmark was threatened with destruction when a small group of aviation enthusiasts worked to secure the building from the federal government and subsequently restored the building for its current use as the Kansas Aviation Museum. Emporia Main Street, Emporia -- Preservation Advocacy Award. Emporia Main Street was a key player in the advocacy team that worked lobby the Kansas legislature to restore the historic rehabilitation tax credit program during the spring of 2010. Emporia Main Street assumed role of legislative liaison and collected critical economic impact data statewide, documenting the economic benefit of the tax credit program. Their work was invaluable to the passage of SB340, which reinstated the Kansas rehabilitation tax credit program. Submitted by The Kansas Preservation Alliance, www.kpalliance.org.
 | Want $150 Million per year for Preservation?
We need your help to voice your support for the Historic Preservation Fund today! The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the CLEAR Act, a bill to address offshore oil and gas reforms following the oil well blow-out in the Gulf of Mexico which contains a provision to fully fund the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) at $150 million!
Contact your Representative and ask him/her to support the full-funding for the HPF provision by voting yes for CLEAR Act (H.R. 3534).
Not since its inception in 1976 has the HPF received full funding to carry out the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act. In fact since 2001, appropriations have declined from $94 million to less than $80 million.
The HPF is funded by receipts from federal offshore oil and gas subject to annual federal appropriations by Congress. The CLEAR Act will fully fund the HPF and not subject the HPF to the appropriations process in Congress, allowing the Secretary of Interior to use these funds without further federal action. Imagine the great work the preservation movement could accomplish with full funding of $150 million each year!
There has not been an active bill before Congress in a DECADE to address full funding for HPF, so we urgently need you to take action right now. Do not delay because the vote is expected before the end of the week. You make all the difference!
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 | National Trust for Historic Preservation
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-588-6000 / 800-315-6847
http://www.preservationnation.org/
For Updates:
http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/public-policy-weekly-bulletin/Public-Policy-Weekly-Bulletin-2-1-1-2-1-1-1.html
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KSHS To Hold Heritage Trust Fund (HTF) Grant Workshop Aug 4 Workshop on HTF Grants will be held 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 4th at the Kansas Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue in Topeka.
This free workshop includes information on the HTF grant application process and grant administration procedures. Workshop attendance is not mandatory to apply for the 2011 round of
HTF grants, but it is highly recommended. Advance registration is requested. Contact Cindi at 785-272-8681, ext. 245, for more information or to register.
The Heritage Trust Fund grant program funds projects for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places or the Register of Historic Kansas Places. Qualifying expenses include professional fees and construction costs. Properties owned by the state or federal governments are not eligible. Individual grant awards may not exceed $90,000 and must be matched by the grant recipient. The deadline for the 2011 round of HTF grant applications is November 1, 2010. For more information on HTF grants or to apply, visit www.kshs.org/resource/htfinfo
The Kansas Historical Society does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs. The Historical Society requests prior notification to accommodate individuals with special needs or disabilities.
For more info:
Katrina L. Ringler
Grants Manager / CLG Coordinator
Cultural Resources Division
Kansas State Historical Society
6425 SW 6th Avenue
Topeka KS 66615-1099
(785) 272-8681 ext.215
(785) 272-8682 FAX
kringler@kshs.org
8 Wonders Winners Announced ----- Submitted by Marci Penner, Sampler Foundation Many of you were part of the 19,146 vote count for the 8 Wonders of Kansas History. This was a huge increase from the previous best of 13,863, set with the Cuisine contest. So, thank you for participating along with people from every state of the union and France, Korea, Sweden, and other foreign countries.
Your voting resulted in these top 8! (in alphabetical order):
1930s Dust Bowl to Gas Exploration, Historic Adobe Museum, Ulysses Boot Hill Museum/Historic Dodge City Council Grove, Santa Fe Trail National Historic Landmark Fort Scott National Historic Site, Fort Scott Historic Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth Historic Fort Riley, Junction City Kansas Museum of History, Topeka Kanza Tribe & Lewis and Clark's Independence Creek, Atchison
See full list of nominees here .
Gulf Oil Spill Threatens Historic Properties The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico presents a variety of resource management issues to officials attempting to mitigate damage caused by the continuing leakage of oil. Not only does this significant spill pose a serious threat to wildlife--affecting as many as 400 species along the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida--cultural resources are at risk too. Shipwrecks, archeological sites, Civil War forts, and other historic structures in the Gulf area are at risk of damage from both oil and cleanup operations. Click on the link, below, to read more and see dynamic map.
Major New Report Just Out! Rutgers University Study Illustrates Federal Historic Tax Credits' Ability to Create Jobs, and Stimulate the Economy
Washington, D.C. (March 3, 2010) –
A comprehensive new report conducted by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, analyzes the economic impact of the federal Historic Tax Credit since its inception in 1976 and concludes that the Historic Tax Credit is a highly efficient job creator—accounting for the creation of 1.8 million new jobs over the life of the program. The report found that Historic Tax Credits generated those jobs more efficiently than other stimulus options and, in fact, the study concludes that the economic activity leveraged by Historic Tax Credit returns more tax revenue to the U.S. Treasury than the cost of implementing the program. The report, the first-ever to comprehensively examine the economic impact of the federal Historic Tax Credit, also underscores the need for additional legislation to strengthen the federal credits, making them more widely available for smaller, rural projects and also encouraging their use for green and sustainable rehab projects. The report was conducted by researchers at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and commissioned by the Historic Tax Credit Coalition, a public policy advocacy organization. The report is the first-ever to examine the economic impact of the Federal Historic Tax Credit, also underscores the need for additional legislation to strengthen the federal credits, making them more widely available for smaller, rural projects and also encouraging their use for green and sustainable rehab projects. Enacted by Congress in 1981 as part of an economic stimulus package, the Federal Historic Tax Credit provides a 20% income tax credit for the rehabilitation of certified income-producing historic properties.
National Ceenter for Preservation Technology and Training Developing iPad and iPhone Apps for the Preservation Field. 
Kansas 150 Kansas will commemorate 150 years of statehood January 29, 2011. For more information contact Mary Madden, mmadden@kshs.org
 | The Star Spangled Banner is just one
of 1,200 sites and collections that have
received critical funding through the
Save America's Treasures program.
(Photo Credit: Ira Block/National
Geographic and Jeffrey Tinsley) |
Historic Preservation Needs Your Help The National Trust for Historic Preservation is asking preservationists to ACT NOW to Restore Funding for Historic Preservation Programs Last week, President Obama released his FY 2011 budget request that would eliminate funding for Save America’s Treasures (SAT) and Preserve America (PA), and cut funding for National Heritage Areas by 50 percent. These critical historic preservation programs matter now more than ever -- not only because they protect our national heritage but because they serve as economic development engines and job creators in the thousands of communities they serve. For example, Save America’s Treasures alone has been responsible for more than 16,000 jobs since it was created just ten years ago. Those supporters of preservation who would like more information or to take action can click here: act now
Help for Kansas Historic Homeowners May Come from Washington, Rather than Topeka, Via New Bill, "The Historic Homeowners Revitalization Act of 2009" While the state of Kansas caps its historic rehabilitation tax credits and preservationists scramble to reverse the resulting unintended consequences, U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan,( D. Mo) works to expand these incentives nationally. On September 29 Carnahan introduced HR 3670, “The Historic Homeowners Revitalization Act of 2009." The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the incentives for the rehabilitation of older buildings to include owner-occupied residences. It would allow a tax credit equal to 20 percent of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures made by the taxpayer with respect to a qualified historic home if it is used as the principal residence of the taxpayer. The credit would not exceed $60,000 ($30,000 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return). “Now is the perfect time to encourage investment in people's historic homes,” writes Carnahan on his website. “As the housing and real estate industry continue to struggle and unemployment on the rise, we need to make smart investments in projects, like rehabbing historic homes, that are proven to put Americans back to work.”
According to Carnahan, this legislation is intended to help homeowners preserve their historic homes, revitalize urban and rural communities in addition to create jobs that we desperately need. The bill is co-sponsored by 24 members of congress, none from Kansas. “These projects have proven to create thousands of jobs” Carnahan explains. “In Missouri, similar homeowner tax credit legislation has helped homeowners restore their historic homes and resulted in over 40,000 jobs since 1998.” Editor's note: For more information see also: http://www.federalhistorictaxcredit.org/ Legislation status: 5.H.R.3670 : To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the incentives for the rehabilitation of older buildings, including owner-occupied residences.
Sponsor: Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] (introduced 9/29/2009) Cosponsors (36) as of Jan 15, 2010.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. WATCH FOR UPDATES HERE Letter of support of HR 3670 to Carnahan from Vicki Cox Golder, National Association of REALTORS(R) Letter of suport of HR 3670 to Carnahan from American Public Transportation Association. Letter of support of HR 3670 from the Heritage Society of Austin
National Trust for Historic Preservation Calls for Action On October 1, 2009, Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), along with Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Pat Tiberi (R-OH), reintroduced H.R. 3715 and S. 1743, our bill that would make beneficial changes to the federal rehabilitation tax credit and provide a greater incentive for the reuse of historic and older buildings. It would also encourage building owners to achieve substantial energy savings in building rehabilitations with graduated increases in the historic tax credit based on the level of efficiency achieved. The measure is a redrafted version of the Community Restoration and Revitalization Act (H.R. 1043 and S. 584), which was introduced in the last Congress. Tha National Trust for Historic Preservation is asking preservationists to tack action by contacting their Members of Congress to ask them to be a cosponsor of the Community Restoration and Revitalization Act -- especially if they are members of either the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee--- or to thank them they have already become sponsors of the bill. An amendment Kansas historic homeowners would find most interesting is one that would Allow State Historic Tax Credits to Work More Effectively with the Federal Credit – Section 11 of bill. It specifies that state historic tax credits should not be considered federal income for tax purposes.To ensure the maximum amount of resources are targeted to offset the cost of restoring historic structures, state historic tax credit proceeds would not be taxed by the IRS and considered federal income unless the taxpayer elects to report it as such. Furthermore, the transfer or disposition of a state historic tax credit should not reduce the federal tax credit's qualified rehabilitation expenditures or trigger any recapture of income.
Richard Moe Announces Retirement as President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
(November 3, 2009, Washington, D.C.) Richard Moe, the longest serving president in the 60 year history of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, announced today that he will retire from the post in the spring of 2010. Moe, 72, who has been at the helm of the nation's leading preservation organization for 17 years, said he has told the board that he will stay until a successor has been named, probably next spring. J. Clifford Hudson of Oklahoma City, the chairman of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's board, said he has established a search committee of National Trust for Historic Preservation board members and has secured the services of Mary Tydings at Russell Reynolds in Washington to assist in the search. More information is available at pr@nthp.org or 202-588-6141.
Kansas State Historical Society Gets Grant UPDATE: (June 26, 2009) On June 16, 2009, the Associated Press reported that The National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress announced plans to expand their digitization program, Chronicling America, to include grants to seven more states for a total of 22 states. It stated maximum 2-year grants of $400,000 would be awarded to Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Carolina universities and historical societies. A Library of Congress press release specified that an award to the Kansas State Historical Society would be an outright grant of $259,354. The Kansas State Historical Society announced receiving the award of the grant in their June 25, 2009 press release, http://www.kshs.org/news/releases/pdfs/2009 Chronicling America, part of the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP), is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress its site, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/, allows individuals to search and view newspaper pages from 1880-1922. Carole Watson, acting chairman of the humanities endowment, said the goal is to eventually include newspapers from all 50 U.S. states. The endowment is investing about $5.2 million in the project this year and has spent $11.6 million in grants since 2004, said Nadina Gardner, director of the NEH preservation and access division.
Budget Bad News, Good News Bad News: Earlier this month we saw the Good News and the Bad News: The legislative session closed with a balanced budget that shares the pain of cuts. Two notable results are:
1) The Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (K.S.A. 79-32,211) was among those tax credits that will receive a 10% reduction in tax years 2009 and 2010
2) An $800,000 cut to the Kansas State Historical Society’s (KSHS) budget. Bobbie Athon, Kansas State Historical Society spokeswoman told Kansas of Olde that, although staff positions have been cut, services offered to owners of historic properties should not be affected.
“KSHS will conduct planning this summer to address the budget cuts” Anthon said. “It is too early to know exactly what changes will be made. We anticipate offering the same Cultural Resources services we have in the past.”
The cuts are a result of the legislature’s directive that 2.75% be cut from the budgets of most state agencies, a cost-cutting measure to share the pain of this year’s difficult budget-balancing act. The Associated Press reported that the KSHS budget will drop from the previously anticipated $6.2 million to $5.4 million resulting in the elimination of 12 full-time positions through layoffs and down-grading full-time positions to part-time
The Good News:
ALERT: Protect the Environs Review Process When a nearby change such as a building or development is planned ... - Don't assume your zoning administrator and staff will recognize that such a change could affect the historic value of your property. He or she is not required to have that kind of a background.
- Don't assume you will be notified by mail. Your local zoning regulations may only notify you if the change requires a rezoning or a conditional use permit.
- Don't assume an alert will be published as a public notice... it may not be required by local zoning regs, and the cement could be set before you'd know it existed.
Without the environs review process facilitated by our State Historic Preservation Officer and staff, your property is at risk.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY! Remember to be kind, concise and polite. If you can't find the words, here are some. These are excerpts from letters and emails sent to legislators: ONE: Dear friends,
Please VOTE NO on HB2083 or any other bill or amendment which would change or nullify the current building/demolition permit review process regarding the 500-ft "environs" around buildings listed on the state and national registers of historic places. In a nutshell, "If it ain't broke..."
ANOTHER: Compatible development can, and does, occur in historic neighborhoods, but compatible development will not necessarily occur if the protective halo is removed. Thus, the protective halo is just that PROTECTIVE, not PROHIBITIVE.
AND ANOTHER: The 500 foot environs clause is for the purpose of protecting Historic properties from visual encroachment by development that would destroy part of the historic integrity. Thank you for your support and assistance.
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