City celebrates Historic Preservation Month

The National Trust for Historic Preservation wants people to know that places like the Stilwell Hotel and the Colonial Fox Theatre matter.
That’s why, with May as National Preservation Month, the National Trust pushed the theme “This Place Matters.”
“It’s a month for us to look at our heritage and past, and, at the same time, reach forward to the future,” said Vonnie Corsini, Colonial Fox Theatre Foundation president.
Corsini teamed with Laura Carlson, Stilwell Foundation executive director, to receive a proclamation from Pittsburg Mayor Pam Henderson Tuesday. Henderson termed historic preservation “an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability.”
Perhaps no building in the area signifies that more than the Stilwell, which Carlson said was working to enhance its revitalization efforts. Next week, the hotel will be installing a new entry with two tall mahogany doors. They’re also finishing up a display room, which will feature historical tidbits on the hotel and area.
The Colonial Fox efforts are also hopping, with the foundation receiving its feasibility survey results back and starting Second Sunday tours, designed to get residents in to see the facility that nearly went up for auction a year ago.
“We’re honored to be considered in the same company as the Stilwell,” Corsini said.
But Carlson said she planned to honor others this month — Louis Casaletto and Kaye-Lynne Webb for their work on Miners’ Memorial and Immigrant Park, respectively.
“It’s wonderful to have these new, active partners in restoring our area’s history,” Carlson said. “They’ve worked so tirelessly, and we’re so proud to have that here.”
Carlson said she remembered when Casaletto approached her about putting the memorial in Arma.
“I told him that it would be much better to put it in Pittsburg,” Carlson said. “It would see so many more people, and receive so much better publicity.”
So Casaletto joined forces with Webb, who was working on a similar project in Immigrant Park. The two, when joined together, will form a gateway into downtown on the south end, with places for passers by to mingle and learn about local history.
The National Trust created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts in America. Due to its increased popularity, the National Trust extended the celebration to the entire month of May.
This is the first year for the full-month-long celebration, marked through the country with architectural and historic tours and award ceremonies.

Kevin Flaherty can be reached at kevin.flaherty@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 134