By Matt de Simone
The Historic Greenfield committee held another virtual meeting last week.
The committee voted to engage AECOM to assist with preparing construction drawings and specifications in accordance with Department of Interior standards for historic renovation. Once prepared, the drawings and specifications will be used as part of an invitation to contractors to submit pricing for rehabilitation of the chimney on the former kitchen/dwelling quarters. The funding comes from dollars raised by the Historic Greenfield Preservation Council.
The committee also discussed the visit of Betsy Merritt and her interest in helping the Greenfield project grow and succeed. Merritt is the deputy general counsel of the National Trust for Historic Preservation based in Washington, D.C. One of Merritt’s key interests is the history of the enslaved people during the 1700s and 1800s.
Along with seeking grants, the committee tossed around various ideas for fundraising, and the idea of offering a Greenfield Preservation lapel pin, which appealed to many members of the committee. Committee secretary Wendy Warren created the mock-up.
Discussions of the Fincastle Festival, Betsy’s visit, status of commemorative brick sales, and collections of plastic to help fund more Trex benches for the property were also held. The committee prepares signing with a contractor for the chimney, but the process of approvals, drawings, and revision resulting in additional approvals from the committee and county puts the project into 2022 before any construction work begins.
For more information about the Historic Greenfield restoration project, visit https://web.botetourtva.gov/bacs/historic-greenfield-advisory-commission.
