Friday, September 26 2008

APVA Preservation Virginia is pleased to announce the formation of a new Northern Shenandoah Valley Branch. The branch will serve historic preservation concerns within the counties of Clarke, Page, Frederick, Shenandoah, Warren and the City of Winchester. Maral S. Kaliban, a local architectural historian and temporary Chair of the Branch organizing committee states "The impetus for the establishment of a Northern Shenandoah Branch comes from two sources. The first is that, despite the plethora of historic sites and landscapes in Winchester, Warren, Frederick and Clarke, and despite the large number of preservation professionals and dedicated volunteers, no local chapter of our primary state-wide preservation organization (APVA) exists here.

The second is that the organizers of the new branch saw the need to form a local group to assist in the preservation of the remains of Greenway Court, especially its land grant office building, and the archeological site of the home of Thomas Lord Fairfax. The branch will certainly engage in other projects eventually, but felt an urgent need to focus our efforts initially on this significant historical site."

The first formal meeting of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Branch will be held at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley on Monday, September 29th at 5:30. The meeting is open to the public and APVA encourages current members of APVA and individuals interested in becoming members to attend. For directions to the museum visit www.shenandoahmuseum.org/admission/directions.html. Additional details and membership information may be obtained by contacting Elizabeth "Betty" Fuccella, Membership Coordinator at 804-648-1889 and by visiting AVPA's website at www.apva.org.

About APVA Preservation Virginia

APVA Preservation Virginia is dedicated to preserving, promoting and serving as an advocate for the state's irreplaceable historic places.

In pursuing and achieving this mission, we ensure the vitality of Virginia's distinctive heritage, resulting in cultural, economic and educational benefits for the public. We achieve our mission by providing leadership, expertise, influence, policy, programs and services to the public and special audiences, and by partnering with all levels of government, as well as other nonprofit and educational institutions.

Press Contact:
Tina Calhoun
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
APVA Preservation Virginia
804-648-1889, x316
tcalhoun@apva.org