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1. What is the Forsyth County Historic Resources Commission?

The Historic Resources Commission is Forsyth County’s public agency that is responsible for the County’s landmarks and buildings in the County’s local historic districts. The Commission is involved in all public matters involving historic resources and historic preservation.

The Commission consists of 12 Commissioners and has a 2-member staff, provided by the City-County Planning Division.

2. When was the Historic Resources Commission created?

The Historic Resources Commission was created in 2001, and was a result of the merger of the Forsyth County Joint Historic Properties Commission and the Winston-Salem Historic District Commission.

The Forsyth County Joint Historic Properties Commission was originally formed in 1976 as the community’s first County-wide preservation commission.

The Winston-Salem Historic District Commission was the first historic preservation commission established in North Carolina in 1948. It was responsible for the oversight of the Old Salem Historic District and other historic areas, including Bethabara. Old Salem is North Carolina’s first local historic district and the forerunner of today’s State enabling legislation for historic districts and landmarks.

3. Who are the Historic Resources Commissioners?

According to the ordinance, the 12 Commissioners must include 6 at-large members and one from each of the following categories:

• Archaeologist, landscape architect/designer, planner, surveyor, or arborist
• Architect licensed in the state of North Carolina
• Architectural historian or historic preservationist
• Historic (H) District property owner
• Historic Overlay (HO) District property owner
• Local Historic Landmark (LHL) property owner

The governing boards of Forsyth County, Winston-Salem, Clemmons, and Kernersville appoint the Commission members, and the Commission elects the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

4. What are the Historic Resources Commissioners' duties?

The Commissioners meet once a month for public meetings on Certificate of Appropriateness applications, public hearings on local historic landmark designations and to address Commission policies, and review various items regarding historic preservation in the community.

5. Who are the Historic Resources Commission’s staff?

The Commission staff are supplied by the Planning Division and have educational and professional degrees/experience in historic preservation.

6. What does the Historic Resources Commission’s staff do?

Commission staff have many functions:

• Administer grants
• Carry out research
• Coordinate activities with the State Historic Preservation Office
• Make presentations to the Commission
• Prepare detailed reports on Certificate of Appropriateness applications
• Prepare educational programs
• Prepare environmental review reports
• Prepare reports on the significance of proposed landmark properties
• Work with applicants who propose alterations in historic districts/landmarks

7. Where and when is the place and time of the Historic Resources Commission’s meetings?

The Historic Resources Commission meets the first Wednesday of every month at 4 p.m. Meetings are held at:
Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building
Public Meeting Room, 5th Floor
100 E First Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

8. What is a Certified Local Government?

A local government can participate in this program when the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) certifies that the local government has established its own historic preservation commission and a program meeting Federal and State standards. Certified Local Governments (CLGs) are eligible to apply for grants from the SHPO.

At least 10% of the annual Historic Preservation Fund grant to states under the National Historic Preservation Act must be distributed among CLGs. Grants can be used for activities promoting historic preservation, such as architectural surveys, National Register nominations, and design review standards.

Forsyth County, Winston-Salem, Kernersville, and Clemmons are all CLGs.