The Metro Monthly will commemorate National Preservation Month 2008 with an architectural walking tour of downtown Youngstown. It will occur at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 in the downtown area. The tour will begin at the Civil War monument, located on Central Square.
Mark C. Peyko, publisher and editor of The Metro Monthly, will lead the free tour, which will cover the history and development of the central business district. In addition, the tour will focus on threatened historic landmarks in the area, including the State and Paramount theaters and the Kress Building.
Peyko has a master’s degree in historic preservation planning from Eastern Michigan University. His degree focused on architectural history, preservation planning and American settlement.
The architectural tour will be presented in memory of local musician and political activist Robert D. Fitzer, who died last year after an extended illness.
Citizens in Youngstown will join thousands of individuals around the country this month as part of a nationwide celebration of National Preservation Month. “This Place Matters” is the theme of the month-long celebration, which is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Since the National Trust created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts in America, it has grown into an annual celebration observed by small towns and big cities with events ranging from architectural and historic tours and award ceremonies, to fund-raising events, educational programs and heritage travel opportunities. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the National Trust has extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even longer opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of this country’s cities and states and enable more Americans to become involved in the growing preservation movement. This year will mark the first official Preservation Month.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization that seeks to bring people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, sparks economic development and promotes environmental sustainability.
With headquarters in Washington, D.C., nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving and preserving historic places.
For more information about National Preservation Month, visit http://www.preservationnation.org/preservationmonth/
©2008 Metro Monthly - Youngstown, Ohio
