Preservation Delaware to host workshops May 1, 19

May is National Historic Preservation Month, a time when people across America celebrate their history, culture and special places.

Preservation Delaware will kick off a new series of workshops to support Delaware’s rich history.

“We are excited to bring these preservation workshops to Delaware. It is vital to protect our state’s historical and archaeological resources, and these workshops will address many of the factors impacting their preservation,” said Michael H. McGrath, Preservation Delaware president. 

The series begins with a full-day free workshop on flood planning and preparedness for historic buildings in Delaware, set for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 1, at the Margaret H. Rollins Community Center in Lewes. The event is co-hosted by the City of Lewes and Sussex County.

Keynote speaker will be industry expert Dominique M. Hawkins, FAIA, LEED AP, NCARB. Hawkins is principal of Preservation Design Partnership, a planning and design practice that focuses exclusively on offering professional services for historic sites and buildings. She was contracted by the states of Maryland and New Jersey to create flooding mitigation guides, and her presentation will focus on lessons learned in developing these guidelines for historic communities and districts. 

The series topic shifts to Historic Landscapes - Recognizing and Eradicating Invasive Plants for a workshop from 3:30 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, at the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension building in Newark. The event is co-hosted by the University of Delaware Plant and Soil Sciences Department.

This workshop will provide up-to-date, science-based information and insights to ensure historic properties promote sustainable landscapes with plants for a livable Delaware. The presenter will be Susan Barton, a professor in the UD Plant and Soil Sciences Department. Barton works closely with the nursery and landscape industry, writing newsletters, organizing short courses and conducting horticulture industry expos with the Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association.

Preservation Delaware will adhere to state and national health professional recommendations regarding the coronavirus. Should alternative dates be necessary, organizers will inform attendees two weeks in advance of each workshop.

For more information, go to www.preservationde.org.

**Should alternative dates be necessary due to the coronavirus, Preservation Delaware will inform attendees two weeks in advance of each workshop.**