Pennsylvania got more props than any other state in the National Trust for Historic Preservation awards announced last week. Two Pennsylvania landmarks and one park superintendent were honored in the list of 15 honorees announced at the Trust’s annual meeting last week.
“When you consider the criteria and the number of entries, Pennsylvania had a banner year, says Keith Evans of Bedford Resort Partners, owners of the Bedford Springs Resort. The preservation of the Bedford County resort, a nineteenth century spa turned twenty-first century resort, received honors along with the restoration of Philadelphias Memorial Hall as the Please Touch Museum. John Latschar, superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park, was singled out for spearheading a new visitor center and ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the battlefield.
The Trust selected Bedford Springs for its $120 million project for the rehabilitation of the 11 original historic hotel buildings, golf course, footbridge and pavilion.
It was a a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the entire development team, says Evans. “We had significant help from Pennsylvania in contributing $30 million in the form of grants, without which it would not have been feasible.
Built for the 1987 Centennial Exposition of Philadelphia, Memorial Hall is the new home of the Please Touch Museum, an award-winning chidrens museum which relocated to the larger space from a downtown location. Northstar Advisers shared the award for the $88 million restoration of the Beaux-Arts building
Gettysburgs improved visitor facilities are part of Latschars ongoing management plan for the battlefield and other in-town attractions, including the recently-opened David Wills House.
“Its a great honor for him and for Gettysburg Military Park, says Gettysburg CVB director Norris Flowers. “His contribution is long-term vision.”
Sources: Keith Evans, Bedford Resort Partners; Norris Flowers, Gettysburg CVB
Writer: Chris O’Toole