Open seats on Historic Preservation commissions

For anyone with an appreciation of local history, a pair of opportunities are now available for more hands-on involvement in preserving both Weiser and Washington County historic places. 

 The Washington County Historic Preservation Commission and the Weiser Historic Preservation Commission are each seeking a volunteer to complete the remainder of a three-year term that runs through 2025. Of course, the boards are hoping the new volunteers will be interested in continuing in the positions through an additional three-year term.

 The open seat on the county’s Historic Preservation Commission representing the Midvale area on the five-member board requires the commissioner to live either in the Middle Valley or somewhere north of Weiser near Midvale Hill. Weiser city commission representatives must reside inside or within a three-mile radius of the city.

 Chairing both commissions, Tony Edmondson said a professional background in history or a related field would be highly beneficial, but an interest in historic preservation in general is most welcome. Anyone interested in serving on either commission can contact Edmondson at tojo@ruralnetwork.net, message him on FB, or by text at 208-550-7797.

 The boards meet simultaneously, currently on a quarterly basis. 

 “Our 2025 calendared meetings are set for the first Monday of January, April, July, and October,” Edmondson told the Signal American. “The county commission’s five seats represent one from Cambridge, one from Midvale, one at-large, and two from Weiser.”

 Current county commission members include Cambridge’s Thel Pearson, who also serves on the Cambridge city historic preservation commission, Brenda Aldrich as the at-large commissioner, and Dennis Lance and himself as the two Weiser city representatives.

 “The Weiser Historic Preservation Commission has been served by some long term members including Dennis and Lynda Lance, Steve and Cheri Clausen, as well as myself,” Edmondson added.

 The county preservation commission has been involved in some vital area bridge upgrades and is looking ahead to several more projects scheduled for funding in the near future.

 “We’re about to wrap up the projects associated with the Cove Bridge replacement mitigation settlement,” he said. “That included the development of the county Historic Preservation Plan, property surveys, and interpretive signage near the new Cove Bridge.

 “The county commission also negotiated the mitigation agreement related to the Dixie Creek and Burton Lane bridge replacements,” he added. “That put a new roof on the Cambridge museum a few months ago and covered the costs of developing a Historic Preservation Plan for the City of Weiser, which we’re just getting underway with. The Weiser City Preservation Commission is directing that project.”

 Edmondson said the county commission is anticipating to soon be negotiating on mitigation agreements connected to the replacement of Unity Bridge. Plus, they are waiting to hear from the National Park Service on last year’s nomination for Sunnyside School to be on the National Register of Historic Places.

 “We have other properties which have been determined eligible, so that will be part of our discussions in the coming year,” he said. “The county commission also applied for and received an LOR grant to purchase additional rolls of Signal American microfilm, with the hope of having the entire collection from 1890 to present, digitized once again, and made available online to our residents through local portals.”

 The Historic Preservation Plan for the City of Weiser is likely to be a top priority in 2025 for the Weiser preservation commission. 

 “We’re also working with the City of Weiser Planning and Zoning Commission to see if some of our downtown might qualify for a National Register District,” Edmondson said. “If we get the green light on that, we’ll apply for a grant to prepare a nomination, and if it comes to fruition, it would provide for tax credits to property owners who do restoration work on their properties within the district.”

 Edmondson said there’s no end to the number of national register eligible properties throughout Weiser.

 “In fact, a recent tour of the Institute properties, which are on the register, has suggested more could be done there, including the creation of a historic district,” he said. “So there’s plenty of exciting work to be done!”