Eleanor D. Patrick – one of Historic Staunton Foundation’s founding board members and a pioneer in the historic preservation movement in Staunton in the 1970s – passed away on May 24, 2015. Through her quiet and factual, but forceful nature, she had a big impact on the challenging times for preserving Staunton’s architectural heritage in the early years. In particular, she helped stop the construction of a proposed highway through downtown Staunton that would have resulted in the demolition of most of Staunton’s historic Wharf area. She also was a hands-on preservationist with her own contracting firm, Iona Restoration, in which she and her business partner, James Lamb, rehabilitated a number of residences in what would become the Newtown Historic District and neighborhoods beyond. The firm also restored the Sears House, an important landmark that overlooks downtown above Woodrow Park.
Full List of HSF Founding Board of Directors – 1971
- Mary B. Armistead
- Dorval D. Banks
- Billie Jean Banks
- Delores Lescure
- Mary Moore Mandeville
- Henry C. McKenney
- Sarah E. Nutt
- Allan B. Painter
- Karen Painter
- Frank Pancake
- James B. Patrick
- Eleanor Patrick
- Elizabeth H. Perry
- Margaret Ann Runnels
- William B. Tanner