|
|
|
 |
Keep Up With C-Hope on FACEBOOK
The Appalachian Forest Discovery Center is fast approaching an opening in the former Darden Mill. (Details as soon as they break!) As part of this rebuild, C-HOPE now has a new phone number at the Mill: 304-637-6182. You can also still call the Elkins City Hall offices of Community Partners at 304-636-6182 if need be. (Note the 636- vs. 637- distinction between the two numbers.)
First Ward School Saved
First Ward School Apartments is now open.
Riverside School Project gets under way
The fate of the Historic
Riverside School in Elkins has fallen into the hands of a group of energetic
people determined to preserve it for the future. See more
HERE
New: Donate Directly to C-HOPE online
By clicking on the
link on our "Help C-Hope" page, you can support C-Hope nearly instantly.
For
the link, go HERE
C-Hope Makes A Space On Facebook
In pursuit of fostering general support and developing business, artisan and organization partners for the Darden Mill redevelopment project, intern Kim McKee has created a C-Hope place on the FACEBOOK social networking site. You can find her continually updated place at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elkins-WV/Darden-Mill/134996249860681?v=wall&ref=ts
Raise A Cup To Historic Preservation...
This season, C-HOPE will be joining the Saturday morning Elkins Farmers Market with a booth to sell prepared coffee and tea as a fund raiser for C-HOPE'S projects. The Farmers Market will be each Saturday morning from 9am until Noon at the Elkins Town Square. (That's behind the train depot, just west of downtown Elkins.)
Spring 2009
First Ward School Rescue Under Way!
|
C-Hope has recently gotten approval from the Randolph County School Board to work towards a new roof for Elkins' old First Ward School.
This should stabilize the structure while further means are sought for
its ultimate rehabilitation. For details, see more about the First Ward
School in the C-HOPE NEWSLETTER
or go to the new First Ward |
 |
C-HOPE at the Elkins' Forest Festival.
Grant Awarded for Darden Mill Restoration
 (Above: Darden Mill in 1906 - count the floors!) |
C-HOPE was recently awarded a USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant for $99,500, making the complete restoration of the Darden Mill feasible. While private donations for grant match are still needed, Phyllis Baxter, director of partner organization Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA) is relieved to see the end of the tunnel financially. With the help of the grant money, the 1902 mill will be adapted for modern use as a museum, an artisan workshop, and the AFHA headquarters over the next two years. |
Rain Fails to Dampen The Celebration:
Darden Mill Open House Celebration!
An Open House to celebrate progress on the Darden Mill, and Fundraising Reception to raise matching funds for the next phase of work, was held on Sunday, June 3.
New Railroad Bridge is in place near Mill. (view from upper floor of Mill)
Near Mill, Train Depot and Hotels New and Old Prepare for Visitors.
September 2006 -- C-HOPE was awarded a $100,000 Phase 2 Cultural Facilities and Capital Resources Grant from the WV Commission on the Arts of the Division of Culture and History for continued work on the Darden Mill restoration as an Artists Workshop facility. The grant must be matched by an equal amount, which C-HOPE is working to raise from donations. This phase of work will include completion of exterior elements such as doors and porch roof, structural repairs, and start on interior systems.
http://www.wvculture.org/agency/press/2006capgrants.html
see also
http://www.wvculture.org/arts/logo.html
for acknowledgement
Old News: Here are a few things that C-Hope has undertaken in the past...
• Received a $38,366 grant from the WV Division of Culture, State Historic Preservation Office to provide matching funds to replace the roof and windows
• Received a $72,620 grant from the WV Division of Culture & History for continuation of the roof & windows project and other exterior renovations.
• Nominated the Darden/Elkins Mill which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
• Replaced the roof on the old Elkins/Darden Mill. The new roof will help protect the building for years to come while we work on the rest of it.
• Restored / replaced the wooden windows in the Mill building. Much of this work was done with the assistance of Mountain Partners in Community Development Preservation Trades Program and with the dedicated help of many C-HOPE volunteers. Volunteer time documented for our grant match was almost $9000.
• Raised a substantial portion of the cash match needed for these grants, but more than $20,000 is still needed!
• Strengthened our organization:
• Presented displays on Randolph industrial heritage at Ramp Festival, Augusta Festival, and Forest Festival. Raised over $1,000 at the Ramp Festival (mmm…Ramp egg rolls!) and raised $750 at the Augusta Festival.
• Received 501(c)3 status.
• Helped raise awareness of other historical issues in the community:
• Assisted with grant application for Wees Addition historic district
• Initiated issue of seeking adaptive reuse for First Ward School
• Represented Randolph County heritage with the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, and assisted with the Resilient Forest exhibit at the Elkins Depot.