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at the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art 20 South New Street Staunton, Virginia 24401 (540) 885-7676 |
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Leadership, Education & Advocacy
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HSF Board of Directors 2008 President Logan Ward Vice President Dan Layman Treasurer Angel Negron, Jr. Secretary Becky Kelly Members Mark Battin William Bowman Dr. Richard L. M. Coleman Ray Cubbage Carter Green Mark Hollberg Karen Hudson Dr. Sara Nair James The Honorable Harrison May Ed Miska Kathy Moore Cheri Moran Randall T. Perdue Grace Rice Mary Timberlake Mark S. Tinsley Betty Vellines |
1980, Tuning Furniture Bldg. (above) & Today, R.R. Smith Center for History & Art
Rehabilitation completed 2007
Originally built as the Eakleton Hotel (TJ Collins, architect, 1891) and later used as a furniture store, this beautiful Victorian sat vacant and dilapidated until three non-profits - Historic Staunton Foundation, Augusta County Historical Society, and the Staunton Augusta Art Center - partnered in its development into the R.R. Smith Center for History & Art. The Center houses HSF's offices, preservation resource rooms & TJ Collin's architectural drawings, the archives for ACHS, classrooms, a community meeting room, offices, and art and history galleries.
How HSF got started
Sear's House:
1971 was a banner year for this young group. On May 6, the charter for Historic Staunton Foundation was approved and on December 5 the first fundraiser began; The Christmas House Tour. The group continued to gain members with Jim Patrick serving as the first president. Members of the Staunton Beautification Commission and members of the Committee to Save the Sears House also became active. In 1972, at a City Council meeting, HSF began its advocacy program by opposing the demolition of the Burns Building, which was located on 120 S. Augusta Street. HSF lost the battle, but won the war. The wharf warehouse buildings:
In 1973, HSF took on two other battles, the Sears House and the Middlebrook Avenue thoroughfare. A hundred citizens turned out for the City Council meeting to save the Wharf area. City Council listened and allowed the Wharf “an opportunity to prove its economic value to Staunton.” This meeting also saw the fight for the possession of the Sears House tabled to another meeting. Later that year, the City refused HSF’s request for the Sears House. In 1974, Mayor Frank Pancake, acting on behalf of the City gave the property to Woodward Morris (President of Committee to Save Sears House), who in turn gave it to HSF. Shortly thereafter, T.J. Collins and Son (Doug Roller) and Iona Restoration Associates (Eleanor Patrick & Jim Lamb) began the restoration project. More |
Contact Us Office Hours: Mon - Fri 9 am - 5 pm (540) 885-7676
Membership, Event, & Volunteer Information Vickie Einselen A.A.
Historic Preservation Issues & Staunton Design Guidelines Frank Strassler Executive Director
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