This month, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin seeking the public’s input on a study designed to help preserve Beaufort, South Carolina’s second oldest town.
The initial public comment period supporting the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District Integrity and Condition Study will open from Jan. 18 to March 4 and include opportunities to submit written comments and participate in public meetings, held virtually. The NPS has contracted LG2 Environmental Solutions, Inc. to conduct this comprehensive assessment of the Beaufort district, which is distinguished nationally for its antebellum history and architecture.
“We are pleased to offer this opportunity to hear from the Beaufort community and stakeholders,” said Cynthia Walton, acting regional chief of cultural resources, National Park Service. “This study could help shape data-driven decision making and stewardship strategies intended to strengthen the district’s long-term health and viability as a National Historic Landmark.”
Two virtual public meetings to discuss the Beaufort study and answer questions about the project will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. (EST). During the meetings, the National Park Service will seek input on the successes, challenges and opportunities within the district regarding specific projects, initiatives and trends that may impact or contribute to the district’s historic character.
Additionally, NPS will host a series of listening sessions with community members directly involved in the management of the district, including local government officials, business owners, preservation experts and others to gain a greater understanding of their efforts to preserve the district.
The NPS will also accept written comments for consideration in the study’s initial draft. Comments may be submitted:
Online (the preferred method)
Visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/beaufort
Select “Open for Comment” on the left menu bar, open the “January Public Meetings” folder and click on the green “Comment Now” button to access the online commenting form; or
By Postal Mail, send comments to:
Alesha Cerny
Attn:Â Â Beaufort NHLD Study
National Park Service
100 Alabama Street, SW
Atlanta, GAÂ Â 30303
Written comments on the initial phase of the study must be submitted online or postmarked by March 4, 2022, to be considered. Additional opportunities for commenting and public engagement will be offered during the course of the project.
For more information about the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District Integrity and Condition Study, including public meeting details, virtual log-in instructions and more, visit the planning website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/beaufort.
About the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District
Designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 1973, the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District reflects three centuries of history and is significant for its antebellum history and architecture, as well as its role in the Civil War and Reconstruction. Having architecture different from that of Savannah and Charleston, Beaufort has preserved a number of distinctive “low-county” houses from the 18th and early 19th centuries. Typical houses have two-story verandas and airy, open interiors. Several buildings, foundations and other character-defining elements of the district are built of tabby, an important regional building material composed of oyster shells, lime and sand mixed with seawater.
About the Study
One cornerstone of the National Historic Landmarks (NHL) Program is monitoring the condition of NHLs to identify those that exhibit damage or face threats to the integrity of their resources. This information enables the NPS, stewards, policy makers and the public to take action to preserve these most significant exemplars of our heritage for future generations. As a part of this process, the NPS has commissioned a study to document, in narrative and graphic formats, major changes that occurred within and adjacent to the Beaufort NHL District since its designation in 1973. The study will also examine current and future projects and trends that may affect the district’s integrity. The NPS goal is for the information contained in this study to aid in the stewardship of the NHL by providing policy makers and the public with a better understanding of the district.
About the National Historic Landmarks Program
The National Historic Landmarks Program works with preservation officials, private property owners and other partners to provide states and local communities with technical assistance recognition and funding to help preserve our nation’s shared history and create close-to-home recreation opportunities.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
