Historic Preservation is the hallmark of historic towns and communities throughout the United States. It reveals itself in community pride, municipal initiative and a host of related benefits according to the National Trust For Historic Preservation's Adrian Scott Fine who will open the Lewes Historical Society's 2003-2004 program meeting season on Friday, September 26. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church Parish hall, Mulberry Street between Second and Third Streets, Lewes.

Fine, Director for the Northeast Field Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, gave a presentation to Lewes residents and members of the Historical Society earlier this year as part of an effort to help people understand the rationale behind a community taking the lead to create a historic district. "My presentation will focus on making the connection between historic preservation and economics," he said. "Through slides and illustrations I'll provide visual examples of how projects to restore rather than remove have benefited communities."

Fine has been with the National Trust since 2000. He has been involved with a variety of preservation programs and efforts to provide technical assistance, advice, funding and support to assist local and statewide preservation efforts. He says that his primary focus will be to "dispel the myths surrounding historic preservation that hinder establishment of historic districts."

Formerly the coordinator for the Indiana Alliance of Historic District Commissions, Fine provided training for the state's preservation commissions and successfully worked to adopt new state enabling legislation for historic preservation. He is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in urban planning and development, and environmental design and historic preservation.

Friday's meeting begins a varied program of monthly lectures that will cover a wide range of historic subjects. Michael Tyler, the Society's program chairman said that the meetings continue to attract a wide audience of folks interested in history of not only Lewes but Delaware and beyond. "We usually get 75 to 100 folks and sometimes more to our lectures. Everyone is invited and we especially encourage educators and parents to bring students to our meetings."

He said that setting the schedule in the summer is an effective tool in getting top speakers to the meetings. "In October we'll get a glimpse of the role of agriculture in Delaware when the Agriculture Museum comes to Lewes. In November the Society will feature Nanticoke Chief Tee Norwood and historian Bill Davis who will discuss their nation's historical heritage." Tyler said that the season, through next May, includes State Archivist Russell McCabe who'll look at Delaware's historic past through its archives (January 16); an African American soldier role play by Willis Phelps (February 20); Lee Jennings, State Historian on 'The Guns of Fort Miles' (March 19); Civil War reenactor Dale Fetzer as General Alban Schoepf, commander of Fort Delaware (April 16) and Keith Clancy, photographer and writer will give a pictorial tour of Delaware's many lighthouses north and south (May 21).

The meeting is free and the public is cordially invited. Refreshments will be served following the presentation. The Lewes Historical Society is a private, charitable organization founded in 1962 and has restored 12 historic Lewes homes. The Society is a vibrant member-based organization with continuing activities and projects. For more information about The Lewes Historical Society Craft Fair or about the Society, please call 645-7670 or email events@historiclewes.org.

©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society