It must be that time of year because there have been a lot of Proposal requests.  This one comes from the Greenbrier Historical Society.

The Greenbrier Historical Society (GHS), located in Lewisburg, West Virginia, is seeking speakers in May and June 2014 as part of our Vietnam Graffiti Project.

The project is a collaborative effort with Carnegie Hall, Inc. (www.carnegiehallwv.org) and LZ Rainelle: The West Virginia Veteran’s Reunion (www.lzrainelle.com) to host a series of special events and programs surrounding a traveling exhibit called Marking Time: Voyage to Vietnam. The exhibit has never before been displayed in West Virginia and contains original graffiti-covered canvas bed-racks as well as additional artifacts left behind on the General Nelson M. Walker troopship by soldiers during the Vietnam War. For more information on the exhibit, please feel free to look at the website: http://www.vietnamgraffiti.com/

To complement the Marking Time exhibit, the Greenbrier Historical Society will host a small exhibit discussing the Vietnam War and its impact in West Virginia. GHS would also like to host three to four lectures throughout May and June 2014 that touch on a number of different Vietnam Era topics – from the war itself to counterculture movements such as the “Back to the Land” movement.

The Greenbrier Historical Society is inviting historians, veterans, and students to submit proposals for presentations by March 1, 2014. Presentations should be between 40 and 90 minutes long and may include more than one speaker. Topics can be wide-ranging as long as they speak to the Vietnam Era (preference will be given to those with West Virginia connections).

Proposals need to be no more than a page and should include your name, contact information, and brief description of the presentation. If you have any questions or to submit a proposal, please contact Elizabeth McMullen at 304.645.3398 or [email protected].

Note: Presentation dates are flexible and some travel assistance and/or honorarium may be available for presenters.

By Danielle, Executive Director

Abandoned and dilapidated properties are a problem for almost every community in West Virginia.  Statistics compiled by the Coalfield Development Corporation last year reveal there are over 500 derelict buildings in McDowell County, 180 discarded residences in Beckley, and in the last ten years, over 400 neglected structures have been demolished in Clarksburg alone.  These numbers are astonishing!  Most communities realize the abandoned and dilapidated properties cause a slippery slope to reduced property values and tax base, increased crime and drug activity, significant environmental, health, and safety hazards, and more.  Towns and cities all over West Virginia are feeling the effects of a dwindling population and do not know how to handle it.

Last year, a group of nonprofit organizations – WV Community Development Hub, WV Brownfields Assistance Center, Coalfield Development Corporation, the Municipal League, and multiple individual communities – joined together as partners to form the Abandoned Properties Coalition (APC).  The APC’s goal is to address this pervasive problem plaguing much of West Virginia on a statewide basis rather than on a case-by-case one.  The APC is working with state legislators to pass specific legislation to address this problem and working together to remove arbitrary hurdles that make counteracting the epidemic abandoned properties more difficult. The goals of this initiative are to pull together stakeholders wanting to offset the negative effects of abandoned properties and be a unified voice (support organizations plus local municipalities) offering solutions that will have on-the-ground impacts in these communities.  This can be achieved by dispersing information and educating communities with abandoned properties, and collaborating with legislators focused on improving policy.  These partners realize that communities and legislators need many tools to effectively manage the situation.  These tools should not be limited to demolition, the go-to for many town leaders, but also preservation, deconstruction, and adaptive re-use.

PAWV joined the APC to bring our expertise in preservation and adaptive re-use of discarded historic properties.  This partnership can build upon PAWV’s own statewide initiative, the West Virginia Endangered Properties Program, which works with communities to build support for and brings new life to neglected historic properties. Moreover, PAWV plans to advocate against any impending demolitions of National Register properties by reaching out to the WV State Historic Preservation Office, Certified Local Governments, and Landmarks Commissions.

It is our belief that the preservation and re-use of our historic built environment are essential tools to prevent the perpetuating problems initiated by decaying structures and derelict properties. Preservation can reinvigorate a sense of community, and it is proven to increase property values and the tax base. As your statewide advocate for historic preservation, PAWV, in partnership with the APC, promises to continue our efforts to preserve and protect West Virginia’s heritage.

Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is currently accepting proposals for its statewide historic preservation conference scheduled for 25-27 September 2014 in Huntington, WV.  This year’s conference theme is “From the Ground Up: Archaeology, Brownfield Re-use, & Historic Preservation”.  Conference proposals should relate to the theme of archaeology with an additional focus on how archaeology has been used in brownfield re-use and historic preservation projects.  Proposals will also be accepted for conference tracks: preservation policy, heritage development, and preservation skills.

In order to have a successful conference we would like to ask those in the preservation field and the general public to propose speakers, facilitators, educators, and more for this year’s event.  The conference tracks include: Preservation planning and policy; heritage development and tourism; and Preservation trade skills and methodology. We are looking for knowledgeable professionals willing to lead one or more of the following:

• Plenary speaker
• Panel presentations
• Half- and full-day workshops
• Educational walking or driving tours
• Short educational sessions
• Student poster sessions
• Round-table discussions 

For more information on each of these positions, necessary qualifications, and applications, please see the guidelines below. PAWV will begin reviewing applications on 28 March 2014 and will continue to accept application until all conference programming has been selected.

Submit proposals, preferably via email, to info@pawv.org and/or 3 hard copies to:
PAWV
Darden House
421 Davis Avenue
Office #3
Elkins, WV 26241

For more information, please contact PAWV at info@pawv.org or 304-345-6005.

This RFP does not indicate any promise to follow through and implement any proposals.  We reserve the right to select different trainers for different workshops.  PAWV staff will organize and direct the workshops and will have final approval of content.

Volunteer presenters are encouraged. Honorarium may be available for some presentations and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.  Conference fees at a discounted volunteer rate apply to speakers and trainers wishing to participate in special activities, including the historic preservation awards banquet and luncheon.

Proposal Application Requirements: 
Preservation professionals interested in providing preservation training for any of the above formats — speakers, workshops, educational sessions, roundtables, panel discussions, and/or educational tours should submit a proposal including:

• Qualifications, credentials, and experience:
• Skill(s) that you are qualified to teach
• Teaching or training experience
• A short one-paragraph bio suitable for use in conference handouts
• Organizational affiliation, if any
• Description of proposed presentation, no more than one page
• Short abstract, no more than 150 words, for use in conference handouts
• Tools or equipment, if applicable, you can provide for the class and student use
• Materials and site requirements you would expect to be provided
• Availability 

Volunteer presenters are encouraged. Honorarium may be available for some presentations and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.  Conference fees at a discounted volunteer ate apply to speakers and trainers wishing to participate in special activities, including the historic preservation awards banquet and luncheon. 

Positions Available: 

• Plenary speakers
  We are seeking three plenary speakers for a 15-30 minute speech on local history for an opening plenary session on Friday, 26 September; a 30-45 minute keynote speech about the conference theme for the awards banquet on Friday, 26 September; and a 30-45 minute speech about the conference theme on Saturday afternoon, 27 September.
• Workshop leader
  ​Trades workshops are best held at a historic property, with hands-on work performed on the property as part of the workshop.  Some workshops include a classroom component or may be intensive training on a focused topic. Occasionally other formats, such as a longer training period, or combining multiple skills in one workshop, may be offered. These workshops can be either a half or a full day. Trainers should have extensive experience in the specific skill, thorough familiarity with historic preservation issues regarding that skill, and experience in teaching the skill. Trainers are encouraged to bring additional hand tools for students’ use for hands-on practice.
• Educational speakers
  Educational speakers will lead a 75-minute session. Each session will most likely be held at an educational breakout room assigned at a specific site.  Conference participants will have the option of attending various sessions throughout the three-day period.  Speakers should have extensive experience in the specific topic, thorough familiarity with historic preservation issues regarding that skill, and/or experience in teaching the skill.
• Round-table leaders
  The round-table discussions will be 75-minutes long and will be located at a specific educational breakout room.  Leaders of round-table discussions must have widespread knowledge and experience working with a specific topic.  Leaders will be available to discuss and answer questions asked by conference participants regarding the discussion topic, and to encourage constructive input and sharing of experiences from the participants.
• Panel presenters and moderators
  Leaders/moderators of panel presentations will assemble 2 or 3 panel presenters to each give a short presentation related to the same theme, followed by discussion led by the moderator. Names and qualifications of each panel participant should be included in the proposal. Panel sessions last 75-minutes and will be held at a specific educational breakout room. 
• Tour guides
  Walking tours generally run from 1 ½ to 3 hours. Driving tours may be a half-day or longer.  Guides must have pervasive knowledge of the historic structures and properties described on the tour.  It is requested that tour guides are not only knowledgeable in the historic uses of the buildings but also the preservation methods and/or technologies used during the preservation of the structures/sites. While a primary focus or theme of the tour will be an aspect of local history, we encourage tours to also have an educational component related to the conference theme and/or one of the conference tracks. 

Three Conference Tracks:
Conference attendees can choose to attend workshops and educational sessions related to three conference tracks, which focus on specific themes common in historic preservation projects and development.  By featuring three different tracks, conference attendees can choose the topic that best reflects their interests and gain the most from their experience.  Attendees will have the choice of Thursday workshops/tours reflective of track themes, as well as Friday and Saturday concurrent educational sessions.  Proposals should be related to one of the following tracks.

• Preservation planning and policy: This track aims to educate about best planning practices, capacity building, and incentives for archaeology and historic preservation projects at the local, state, and federal level by working with/as government entities and non-profit organizations.  Proposals about overcoming obstacles in preservation planning are highly sought.  However, proposals discussing state and federal legislation and preservation will also be considered.

• Heritage development and tourism: Emphasizing economic development through archaeology, brownfield re-use, and historic preservation, this track’s themes include heritage and cultural tourism and the process of developing an economically beneficial basis for such.  Proposals discussing interpretation of sites and landscapes will also be considered.
• Preservation trade skills and methodology: Focused on the reasons for proceeding with archaeology, brownfield re-use, and historic preservation, as well as the tools/skills needed to do so, this track will emphasize the best steps in initiating, performing, and completing archaeology and historic preservation projects, which also includes brownfields and landscapes.  Hands-on workshops and how-to sessions will be considered for this track.  

The West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Centers are currently seeking presentation proposals to fill limited slots for the 2014 WV Brownfields Conference in Huntington, WV on September 11-12.

Example presentation topics include:

• Finance and funding mechanisms
• Liability and risk mitigation
• Site redevelopment strategies
• Other redevelopment related ideas, case studies, and best practices.

The WV Brownfields Conference anticipates presentation formats to include expert panels, interactive workshops, and technical training.

To submit your presentation proposal, download this proposal form, enter your information, save it, and email to [email protected] by March 3, 2014.  Scanned copies are also acceptable.

Looking for an engaging and uncomplicated weekend trip around West Virginia? The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia is here to provide you with the simple solution. PAWV’s new blog series, Excuse for an Excursion, is filled with suggestions of easy ways to explore West Virginia’s built heritage and enjoy successful preservation efforts around the state.
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Each month there will be a new theme and suggested itineraries of how to fit in all the fun and culture West Virginia has to offer. The posts cover a wide range of interests – Main Streets communities to historic springs, churches to railroads – there’s something for everyone! So stop justifying reasons to stay home, and make an excuse for an excursion around wild and wonderful West Virginia!