Preservation Works!

Does your legislator, local elected official, family member, friend or neighbor want to know more about historic preservation?  Would you like to learn about how current preservation projects across the state are creating jobs, attracting private investment, generating tax revenue, promoting environmental sustainability, contributing to community planning and improving our quality of life?  Then check out Preservation Works! Historic Preservation Projects and Case Studies [PDF - 976KB], produced by the Kentucky Heritage Council.  Here's an idea of what you can find inside:

The Truth About Historic Buildings and Energy Efficiency

• Reusing a 5,000 sq. foot building saves the carbon consumed by 85 homes in one year.  Reusing a 100,000 sq. foot building saves the equivalent of the carbon emitted by 1,600 homes in one year.
• According to the Building and Social Housing Foundation, it takes about 50 to 65 years for a new, energy efficient building to save the amount of embodied energy lost in demolishing an existing building.
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration found that buildings constructed during the early 1900s were more energy efficient than those built from 1950-2000.  Why?  Many of these older homes were built with non-mechanical, energy-saving features, like deep eaves for shading, cross-ventilating hallways, and operable windows.
• Air infiltration occurs in buildings through many conduits – attics, chimneys, vents, even electrical outlets, but more heat is lost through your roof than any other part of your house.  By adding just 3½ inches of  insulation in your attic, you save more energy than replacing your windows, and it will cost a lot less.  
• Adding weatherstripping to your existing windows can increase a window’s energy efficiency by as much as 50%.
• We really have no idea how long vinyl windows will last, as most vinyl windows are replaced within 10-15 years (they’re called replacement for a reason!)… but we do know that they will last forever in the landfill.  Replacement windows that  contain vinyl or PVC are also toxic to produce and create toxic by-products.

Sources: National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Donovan Rypkema, U.S. Energy Information

For hard copies of this educational booklet, e-mail Wendy Wheatcraft, planning and research coordinator, or call 502-564-7005, ext. 126.

... to the Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office Web site.  Our mission is to identify, preserve and protect the cultural resources of Kentucky.  Heritage Council staff administer all state and federal historic preservation and incentive programs in Kentucky, including the National Register of Historic Places.  Sixteen Kentucky Heritage Council members are appointed by the governor of the state to serve four year terms on the Heritage Council.  Council members live across the state representing the citizens of the Commonwealth and engaging in historic preservation projects.

The Heritage Council is a repository of a priceless assemblage of survey forms, maps, photographs and other images in its unique archival collection of inventories of historic structures and archaeological sites in the state.  Our rural heritage is highlighted in a variety of programs including the Kentucky Crossroads Rural Heritage Development Initiative, an rural preservation/economic development partnership with Preservation Kentucky.  The Kentucky Archaeological Survey, a partnership with the University of Kentucky Department of Anthropology, promotes the preservation of archaeological sites and educates the public about protecting these resources.

The Heritage Council seeks to build a greater awareness of Kentucky's historic places and to encourage the long-term preservation of Kentucky's significant cultural resources.  Kentucky leads the nation in the number of Preserve America communities, is fourth in the number of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and administers the federal and statewide rehabilitation tax credit programs.

• Kentucky Main Street Program Awards handed out Wednesday honor community projects
  Friday, January 27, 2012
  Heart of Danville was the big winner during presentation of the 2012 Kentucky Main Street Program Awards Wednesday at the Grand Theatre in Frankfort. Other programs honored were Bellevue Renaissance, Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Paris Main Street Program, Main Street Russellville, Heart of Scottsville and Springfield Main Street/Renaissance.
• Kentucky Heritage Council quarterly meeting Thursday in Frankfort
  Tuesday, January 24, 2012
  FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Heritage Council will meet at 1 p.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 26, at Paul Sawyier Public Library, 319 Wapping St., Frankfort. An agenda will be provided at the meeting.
• Western Kentucky Lakes Region selected to host the 2012 Kentucky Historic Preservation Conference Sept. 20-22
  Friday, January 20, 2012
  The Western Kentucky Lakes Region and the communities of Princeton, Dawson Springs and Eddyville/Kuttawa have been selected to host the 2012 Kentucky Historic Preservation Conference Sept. 20-22, co-sponsored by the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office and Preservation Kentucky Inc.