In September 2009, Oxford's Historic and Architectural Planning Commission (HAPC) will turn the many homes and buildings that serve as a backdrop in the city into separate entities recognized for their place in Oxford history.
A proposal headed by HAPC was passed March 17 by city council and established the "Historic Marker Program." Both groups worked closely together to create the finished product.
"The HAPC held two separate work sessions with city council to present the program to them and get their input," said Laura Henderson, vice-chair of the HAPC.
The goal of the initiative is to, "promote interest in preservation and to recognize outstanding efforts made by owners of historic properties who have sensitively restored and/or maintained their structures," according to the proposal spearheaded by Henderson.
With the town's bicentennial rapidly approaching, Mayor Prue Dana said the timing of the program is a fortunate coincidence.
"We originally wanted to kick it off in May during National Historic Preservation Month," Dana said, "but because we want to sponsor an event when students come back, will be talking a lot about it in the fall around the time of the city's bicentennial and the open house presented by the HAC (Housing Advisory Commission) and HAPC."
The award program is two-tiered in an effort to encompass all of Oxford's historic sites and buildings. Tier one markers will be awarded annually in the form of Preservation Awards for projects that have been completed within the calendar year prior to the presentation of the award. The honor can also be given for past efforts that continue to positively impact the city today.
"To live in a structure you have to have appreciation for the structure and what it means," Dana said. "It means knowing what you have and learning how to take care of it."
Offering the award not only to owners of historic sites, but also to those who work to maintain the heritage of the Oxford community is an especially important part of the program, City Planner Kathy Dale said.
"We hope that this will encourage the continued preservation of homes and sites and instill a sense of pride," Dale said. "We hope homeowners will be proud of their work … and that it will encourage others to put in the extra work to preserve theirs as well."
Tier two markers, Historic Plaques, are awarded to homes meeting a variety of criteria, such as being identified with a person with historical significance, listed on the National Register of Historic places or is the site of a significant event.
With such an honor comes equal responsibility as inappropriate changes made to the building or site can result in a loss of designation, Henderson said.
Both of the award designs were inspired by historic marker programs in other towns and were strategically chosen, Henderson said.
"The shape alone is easily recognizable from a distance and indicates that the property is historic," Henderson said. "Anyone who has ever driven through a town that has a marker program in effect would have to admit that the markers catch your eye and make you aware that the structure has some special architectural features or historic significance."
In an effort to instill a sense of integrity in the project, applicants must go through a rigorous process before being awarded the prestigious designation. Applicants for both tiers must fill out an application that is then extensively researched by the HAPC.
The decision, greatly influenced by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, the National Park Service Preservation Briefs and other resources, will then be announced at an annual open house for Oxford homeowners in September 2009, Dale said.
The current budget for the awards is undefined, with the amount given out in a year depending on the quality of the applications, Henderson said.
If presented with the Preservation Award, the city of Oxford will pay for the plaque as well as the installation, while Historic Plaque honorees must pay a $97 fee.
Each award comes with a registration number that is documented by the city in an effort to establish a permanent historical record and will be installed to the left of the building entryway to attract the attention of any passersby.
Any person interested in nominating an establishment or site can pick up an application for nomination at the Municipal Building at 101 East High St. The deadline for applications is April 1 and the first award presentation will take place in September.
