2014-2015 Wake County Historic Preservation Essay Contest
The Wake County Historic Preservation Commission is pleased to announce an
historic preservation themed essay contest for 11th graders in Wake County. The theme
for this year’s contest is Endangered Historic Properties in Wake County.
Entry and Essay Requirements:
Each entry should include a completed official entry form, essay, and three original
photos or illustrations of an endangered property within the confines of Wake County.
The essay must be between 3-5 pages in length, with 12-point Times New Roman font,
double spaced, and with 1” margins. The essay will be submitted in hard copy form and
a CD. Source citations should use the Kate L. Turabian citation format which can be
found online.
Essays may be mailed (Wake County Historic Preservation Commission, c/o Capital
Area Preservation, PO Box 28072, Raleigh, NC 27611) or delivered to Capital Area
Preservation, 1101 Haynes #001, Raleigh, NC 27604
THEME FOR 2014-2015:
Endangered Properties in Wake County
The student’s example should highlight an historic property that is “endangered”,
meaning there is potential for it to be lost forever because of demolition, neglect,
inappropriate development, environmental damage, and/or lack of funding to maintain
and preserve the property. Historic properties must have been constructed at least 50
years ago (age requirement for properties to be listed in the National Register of Historic
Places), located in Wake County, and can include houses, commercial buildings,
churches, schools, farms, and barns.
TIMELINE FOR CONTEST: Submitted by 5:00pm, November 21, 2014
Winner notified by March 1, 2015
CONTENT: Within the essay, students should consider:
a. The endangerment to the property and what led to its endangerment.
b. If there are any plans to preserve or rehabilitate and reuse the property.
c. The historical significance of the property: Check to see if there is a National
Register Nomination for the property at the State Historic Preservation Office
(see list of sources).
d
The property’s importance to the county and/or state’s sense of place and history.
e. Current efforts to preserve the site, to the best of the student’s knowledge.
(Municipal Planning Directors may be helpful)
f. What does the student think should be done with the property? Should the
Number assigned to essay____________________________
property be considered for reuse or rehabilitation (the act or process of making
possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations and additions
while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural or
architectural values)? Students should imagine possible uses for the property.
g. Explain possible solutions for how to rehabilitate and re-use the site. Students can
refer to county and state preservation success stories as case studies for
comparisons or suggestions throughout the essay.
h.
Some sites and websites that may help you with your research:
Wake County Planning or municipal planning offices
Capital Area Preservation
State Historic Preservation Office
National Register, specifically http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/nrlist.htm
Local historical societies
Olivia Raney Library Historic Preservation Resources Collection
Prizes, Selection of Winners, and Notification
1. Prizes:
Winners will receive a scholarship amount from the
Wake County Historic Preservation Commission. Cash prizes are $600
for first place, $300 for second place and $100 for third place. Winners
will receive their prize and a framed award at the annual Historic Preservation Celebration in May of 2015.
2. Selection: Judges for the essay contest will include at least one Wake County
Preservation Commission member and persons experienced
in historic preservation issues.
Entries will be judged on the student’s argument for why the property is
endangered, incorporation of the theme, ability to follow guidelines,
creativity and use of research and documented facts (i.e. from an interview, National Register Nomination, book, website or other) about the
historic property. Sources should be cited using the Turabian format.
3. Notification: Award winners will be notified by March 1, 2015. Upon
notice, winners and their families will be extended an invitation to the
Historic Preservation Celebration and notified of the location and date.
4. Publication: The first, second, and third place essays and accompanying
photographs or illustrations may be published on the Capital Area
Preservation website or other county publications. Students will receive full credit for those publications. Essays will not be returned.
Number assigned to essay____________________________
2015 Wake County Historic Preservation Commission
Essay Contest Entry Form
Please print or type
Student Name______________________________________ Date_______________
School______________________________________________
Teacher/advisor_______________________________________
Address_____________________________________________
City, State, ZIP________________________________________
Telephone number or email address_________________________
Name of endangered property_________________________________
Address or location of property________________________________
__________________________________
Number assigned to essay____________________________