Caring for Your Collections Class Slated for March 27
This year the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library is partnering with the Salina Public Library for the class,
Caring for your Collections. The instructors will be from the Eisenhower Library: archivists Valoise
Armstrong and Chris Abraham and museum registrar Nathan Myers. The class will be held at the Salina
Public Library on Saturday, March 27, from 9:30-12:30 p.m.Library Prescott Room. Fee:$9 Space is limited.
Class Description: Learn where to best store and display your collections, how to handle and house them
appropriately. This class will focus on paper documents, books, photographs, audiovisual materials and a wide range of artifacts. Instructors Chris Abraham and Valoise Armstrong are archivists and Nathan Myers is the museum registrar at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. Between them they have broad experience caring for a wide range of materials.
Information and online registration is available by contacting Lisa Newman or Shelly Gabel at
McKimmons Barn, Westmorland, to be Considered for
Nomination to National Register
UPDATE 2/24/2010:
APPROVED unanimously!
On Saturday, 2/20/10, John Reese's "McKimmons Barn"
(See second page of our Gallery) will be considered by the National Historic Sites Board of Review for nomination to National Register of Historic Places.
In 1885 the 2-story "bank barn" was built into the bank of a hill above Rock Creek, just North of what is now Oregon Trail Park on Highway 99 south of Westmoreland. McKimmons was founder and local settler of Westmoreland. More information and photos are available by clicking
here.
More About Barns
Barns are intrinsic to the story of rural Kansas and the history of our state. On Kansas farms, it is often the barn, still standing after the house has deteriorated, that is the last tangible remnant to mark the history of the property and the people who founded it. Those who offer help to today's owners of historic barns include the Kansas Barn Alliance (KBA).
"Our organization encourages owners of pre-1950 barns to explore the benefits of listing their rural icons on the National Register of Historic Places," says Sally Hatcher, KBA past president. "Kansas is one of the few states that allow owners of income producing structures to use both the Federal Income Tax Credit of 20% and the Kansas Income Tax Credit of 25% for maintenance and rehabilitation. We commend Professor Reese for his preservation efforts." *
Hatcher is also the cooridnator of the Alliance's National lConference which will include a tour of historic barns in Doniphan County on June 12.
------Editor's note: tax credit info, above, may be affected by passage of bills in this session of the
1874 Stonehouse, LLC Named One of the Eight Best in the Midwest
The 1874 Stonehouse, LLC in Cottonwood Falls, KS recently received the honor of “Best in the Midwest” from BedandBreakfast.com, a leading on-line bed and breakfast directory and reservation network worldwide. The luxuriously restored house, built of native stone in 1874, features varied habitat for birding and wildlife, prairie restoration projects and a library with over 400 books related to Kansas. A mile-long nature trail passes a fishing pond, river valley and towering trees plus the prairie restoration projects. The selection criteria include both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of independently posted reviews on BedandBreakfast.com. Since launching the BedandBreakfast.com reviews program almost three years ago, inn-goers have submitted nearly 85,000 B&B reviews. For more information visit
www.stonehousebandb.com.
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
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Most Endangered Historic Places
Look around, what historic resources can you find? Does your community have a historic site or building that is threatened?
The Kansas Preservation Alliance is asking for nominations for the 2010 “Most Endangered Historic Places” in Kansas. Since 1993, the Kansas Preservation Alliance has publicized an endangered historic places list to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the unique architectural heritage of Kansas and to recognize those people who are diligently trying to save historic places.
Nominations are currently being accepted by the Kansas Preservation Alliance for threatened historic resources. The nomination form is available on-line at www.kpalliance.org; nominations will be accepted until December 15, 2009. One of the listed historic resources will be awarded a $500 grant to help in preservation efforts.
Last year's award winner was the Parker House Hotel in Minneapolis, Kansas. Originally constructed in 1887 as a business building on the corner of Main Streetin Minneapolis, the building was converted into a 26-room hotel by widow Isabelle Parker in 1889. The Italianate hotel served as the primary meeting place for women suffragettes in the early 1900s and as a home to many travelers looking for the finest accommodations. Neglect, deterioration, and water damage threaten the Parker House Hotel. The City of Minneapolis has threatened to order the building demolished unless the owner undertakes rehabilitation. The property has been listed on the Kansas Register of Historic Places and a local committee is investigating options for the building’s preservation.
Questions regarding the nomination form or procedure should be sent to info@kpalliance.org. Announcement of the 2010 “Most Endangered Historic Places” and awards will take place in Topeka on February 23, 2010 at 5:00 PM.
Founded in 1979, the Kansas Preservation alliance is the statewide advocacy organization for historic preservation acting on the belief that historic preservation is essential to the vitality and development of Kansas Communities.
Article submitted by Dale Nimz, Executive Director
Kansas Preservation Alliance, Inc.
785.979.8398
info@kpalliance.org
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
Leavenworth, "Small Town With an Edge," Makes National List Described as a "Small town with an edge," Leavenworth is This Old House Magazine's
(July/Aug 2009) Kansas pick as one of its "51 Best Places" The list honors neighborhoods that have “promising futures and homes that truly deserve a long-term commitment." A city was named in each state in North America and one in Canada. The website, www.thisoldhouse.com, states:
Think of Leavenworth as small-town America with an edge. Home to heroes (from Fort Leavenworth, the oldest U.S. Army facility west of the Mississippi) and villains (from the well-known federal prison), this sleepy Missouri River city of 35,000 has six residential areas recognized as National Historic Districts. Each has big, beautiful houses on tree-lined streets that belie the city's institutional reputation. In fact, locals describe Leavenworth as a warm, family-oriented community, with top-notch schools and safe, walkable streets. Many residents are young professionals who commute to nearby Kansas City, Missouri (40 minutes away), or retired Army officers drawn to Leavenworth's relaxing pace after years of service.
The Houses
The oldest homes are generally brick Greek Revivals dating to the 1850s. Later styles include Italianate, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, and bungalow. Prices for fixer-upper bungalows average $40,000. The city's largest Queen Anne recently sold for $400,000.
Why Buy Now?
The Kansas Income Tax Credit gives homeowners a 25 percent reimbursement credit for restoration or maintenance work on homes in the National Historic Districts. A biking and walking path is under construction and will run through the center of town, and a new pavilion for the city's farmer's market is set to open this month.
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.