Title
Vote to Approve the allocation of $10,000 to Bynum Front Porch on behalf of the Bynum Historic Designation for purpose of hiring a consultant to complete Bynum’s nomination as a historic community with the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office
Abstract
Introduction & Background:
In January 2023, Susan Crate initiated the process of getting Bynum on the National Historic Register. In March, Sarah Woodard, Survey and National Register Branch Supervisor, State Historic Preservation Office, Raleigh, came to designate the historical district boundary and to conduct a community meeting at the Bynum General Store to explain the process to residents. Following that, Susan proceeded to complete the Study List application, the first process in getting on the register, which Sarah presented at the June meeting of the Historic Register Advisory Committee. Bynum unanimously was put on the study list.
The next and final step is to hire professional consultants to complete Bynum’s nomination. Susan had sent out cost estimate requests earlier in the year to understand the level of fundraising needed. The group needed to raise the amount of $30,000. Susan put out a call to those who expressed interest in helping in the process, to form a committee, the Bynum Historic Designation committee (BHD). The group includes six other residents of Bynum to make a total of seven. The group began meeting every two weeks for two hours to create a fundraising campaign.
An important initial step was to affiliate with a 501-C3. Bynum Front Porch agreed to take BHD under their wing as their fiscal sponsor. The BHD committee focused on local fund raising and applying for grants. They set up a GoFundMe (GFM) page and rented a post office box in Bynum for those who preferred sending a check. They applied for two grants. In late fall, the BHD committee learned that they had received $15,000 from the Marion Stedman Covington Foundation.
Over the course of the last 5 months since the BHD committee formed, they have met every two weeks and revised and refreshed their fundraising appeals to now have raised approximately $5,000 through their fundraising effort on GFM and via checks. This in addition to the Covington grant makes their fundraising efforts now total approximately $20,000.
Discussion & Analysis:
The committee is now appealing to Chatham County to help reach the goal of $30,000 by funding $10,000 to the project to reify and protect Bynum which is one of our county’s most unique historical resources.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: 1. Preserve the rural character and lifestyle of Chatham County; 5. Conserve natural resources; 6. Provide recreational opportunities and access to open space.
Budgetary Impact: $10,000.00
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve the allocation of $10,000 to Bynum Front Porch on behalf of the Bynum Historic Designation for the purpose of hiring a consultant to complete Bynum’s nomination as a historic community with the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office.