Leadership, Education & Advocacy

HSF Services

Exterior Technical Assistance

From mortar formulas to guides on restoring your historic windows, HSF is here to answer your question.  Our Resource Rooms are stocked with how-to  reference materials for your project.  We require an appointment.  No walk-ins please.  This is a free service to members. Contact for an appointment.

HPC Reviews

Frank Strassler, HSF's Executive Director, writes the COA reviews for the Commission .  He is not a voting member of the Commission. Frank writes his reviews based on the Secretary of Interior's Standards and Guidelines and Staunton's historic districts design guidelines.

HSF is here to help homeowners & building owners understand the guidelines and how they apply to their project.  This is a free service.  Consultations are done by appointment only!  Please email hsf@ntelos.net for an appointment. Note:  HSF will not design your project or offer any design services that conflicts with the review process.  

Exterior Design Assistance (see above note)

HSF offers exterior paint color assistance at the following rate: one-hour free to members, $25/hr afterwards & for non-members.

Note that the HPC does not normally review paint colors with two exceptions:  1)on a  complaint basis referring to the code clause: "violent contrasts of materials or colors and intense and lurid colors or patterns, or a multiplicity of incongruous details clearly inconsistent with the character of the present structures or with the prevailing character of the surroundings and the historic district." and 2) the painting of original masonry or unpainted brick.  HSF charges for services applying to non-reviewable items.

HSF recommends the following books for assistance with Victorian paint colors:

• Victorian Exterior Decoration: How to Paint your 19th Century American House Historically by Roger W. Moss and Gail Caskey Winkler

• Victorious Victorians: A Guide to Major Architectural Styles by Peg B. Sinclair & Taylor B. Lewis

• Century of Color: Exterior Decoration for American Buildings 1820 - 1920 by Roger Moss

These books are available from the HSF Resources Rooms and the Staunton Public Library.

Committees

HSF's Executive Director, Frank Strassler serves on the SDDA Design Committee & Newtown Community Development Block Grant Committee.

Special Walking Tours and Lectures

If schedules allow ... HSF's Executive Directors provides special walking tours and lectures to civic and school groups about the history, development, and revitalization of Staunton.  Contact office for more information.

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