By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Historic Preservation Office along with the Landmark Commission are planning an event this weekend to honor the city's history and celebrate preservation.
The event is being called 'The Preservation Celebration' and it's set for this Saturday on Hall Street. St. Joseph Landmark Commission member Gracia Pinzino says the celebration will have a lot to offer.
"Starting at 2, it's going to be a street-party atmosphere," Pinzino said. "We're going to have the band Friends playing. We're going to have some light refreshments. Around 3, we're going to have a recognition ceremony about a couple different businesses and projects. People who have done great work in preservation."
The event runs from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, and it's free and open to the public.
Many homes and buildings in St. Joseph are historic structures. St. Joseph Historic Preservation planner Kim Schutte says this part of St. Joseph's history is worth celebrating, because it's all around.
"One of the things to remember in St. Joe is, no matter where you live, you probably live in a historic house," Schutte said. "Most of our building stock is over 50 years old. So, we'll have information on if you need help with your windows or best ways to handle your roof. Things like that."
The city has more than 50 properties and structures that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Schutte adds St. Joseph's history and unique architecture is a big draw for people who live outside the city.
"So much of our identity and what brings people to town as tourists and what makes it a great place to live is this unique building stock," she said. "These stories and this character we have. It's really important we be good stewards of the inventory we were given."
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