Preservation Johnston County To Host Historic Preservation Seminars

SMITHFIELD – Preservation Johnston County, Inc., is sponsoring two historic preservation seminars this month in the Johnston County Museum, located at 329 E. Market Street, Smithfield.

On Tuesday, January 20, at 7 pm, Jeff Adolphsen from the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office will speak about topics such as historic rehabilitation tax credits, how to determine if a building is historic, how to apply for historic designation, and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation of historic buildings.

Adolphsen is a native of Maryland and has worked with the state preservation office since 1990. He is restoration specialist for the Southeast region of the state, including Johnston County. He authored the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Landscape Management Plan and is responsible for providing technical assistance and support to individuals involved in rehabilitation and restoration of historic properties.

On Thursday, January 29, also at 7 pm, Cathleen Turner from Preservation NC will be on hand to talk about the work of her organization in protecting historic properties through legal covenants and easements. PNC has also rescued endangered historic properties by purchasing them and finding purchasers willing and able to invest in rehabilitating them.

Turner is Director of Preservation North Carolina’s Piedmont Regional Office where she promotes and advocates for the preservation of historic structures and sites across 31 counties.  Her work has focused on the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, cultural heritage tourism, historic site management, planning and policy.

Preservation Johnston County, a nonprofit organization, was formed in 2023. Its Board of Directors is made up of individuals from across the county who are passionate about preserving and protecting Johnston County’s treasured historic buildings, sites, and abandoned cemeteries.

The seminars, made possible by a grant from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Board Chairman Todd Johnson, 919-720-8605.