Watch now: Young preservationists record Butler and Washington landmarks

Student videographers documenting historic structures in Butler and Washington Counties are among the winners of the Preservation Video Contest created by the Young Preservationist Association, a western Pennsylvania non-profit that’s spotlighting urgent projects. The students will be honored at YPA’s annual summit on Saturday, April 10 in Pittsburgh.

Founded in 2002, YPA enlists students and young adults throughout western Pennsylvania. Previous projects that have won protection after YPA’s involvement include the home of the National Negro Opera Company and the Paramount Pictures Film Exchange, both in Pittsburgh.

Drew Edward Levinson, the college student who documented the Paramount building, won last year’s video conference. His efforts caught the attention of Pittsburgh city councilman Jim Ferlo in the project, which won historic designation in 2009. The building is now being restored by a new owner.

“Students are the ones who bring these projects to our attention,” says YPS’s founder and CEO, Dan Holland. YPA now has 350 members; 1,200 young people have participated in its programs.

The videos to be honored at the summit feature Trinity Hall, now Trinity High School in Washington and Dr. Mershon’s Summer Kitchen and Stable, in Saxonburg. The YPA video contest is sponsored by First Commonwealth Bank, and the Michael Eversmeyer Promise Award, presented by Clearview Federal Credit Union.

Source: Dan Holland, YPA
Writer: Chris O’Toole