Historic Preservation Month to Honor George H. Black

Historic Resources Commission - April 27, 2007
Contact: Michelle McCullough, 727-2087

The Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission will honor George H. Black, a famous brick-maker from Winston-Salem, during Historic Preservation Month in May.

A new city historic marker will be unveiled at the George H. Black House and Brickyard on Sunday, May 20, 2007, at 111 Dellabrook Road in Winston-Salem. The marker honors Black’s contribution to historic preservation. He was a nationally and internationally recognized brick maker. Up until his death in 1980 at the age of 101, George Black made bricks for Winston-Salem’s finest houses, churches, businesses, and for restorations in Old Salem and Colonial Williamsburg. The unveiling ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.

In addition, Black will be the subject of a display at the main branch of the Forsyth County Public Library, at 660 W. Fifth St. Two other displays at the library will feature windows throughout Forsyth County, in keeping with this year’s theme for Historic Preservation Month: "Windows to our Past … Keep them open." A preservation month poster on this theme is available in the City-County Planning Department, 100 E. First St., Suite 201.

Local residents are invited to participate in Historic Preservation Month by submitting applications for local historic landmarks. Properties should be at least 50 years old, have significance to the community, and have most of their architectural or design integrity remaining. Owners of properties designated as landmarks may apply to have up to 50 percent of their property tax deferred.

More information and application forms for local landmarks are available online at www.ForsythCountyHRC.org, or by calling the commission staff at the City-County Planning Department, 727-2087.