Quincy historical society lauded for preservation
Matthew Weaver/Columbia Basin HeraldThe steeple sits off to the side as, farther back, crews work to move the 102-year-old church building from its original location in August 2006. The Quincy Valley Historical Society was recently honored by the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for its efforts to preserve the historic church and the Reimans-Simmons house.
QUINCY - Caring for an old house and church resulted in the Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum receiving an award for historic preservation.
The state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation announced the Quincy historical society is amongst 10 individuals and organizations receiving the state Historic Preservation Officer's Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation.
Department documentation showed the historical society "systematically and lovingly cared for" the historic Reiman-Simmons house and the Old Quincy Church.
Society Vice President Gar Pilliar said the award gives recognition to its members. He received an advance notice by e-mail on the same evening as the society's annual association meeting, he said, so he was able to share the news with members.
"We were excited, because it's really a big deal, throughout the state even," he said.
Russell Holter, department awards coordinator and compliance reviewer for state and federal regulations, said the nomination process began in January, when local governments and preservation societies are asked to look around their neighborhoods to identify outstanding achievements in historic preservation.
"To be able to win in the stewardship category, it's kind of like a career achievement for an individual," he said. "It's an organizational award where the organization has demonstrated roughly 20 years of good stewardship with historic resources. That's the fundamental criteria for winning in that category."
The Reiman-Simmons House recently opened its very first exhibit and is in the process of restoring the old church, Pilliar said.
"We are working on it, restoring it, of course, and right now they've just about completed putting new siding all around the outside," he said. "It has the new roof shingles on it and the belfry on the outside has been rebuilt. It's just going, but it's slow because it's an old, old thing. It should look pretty nice when it's done."
Work on the old church will be completed next year, Pilliar said.
"The whole community has got in on this thing and helped out in many ways," he said. "There are quite a few projects in the works. The historical society will never be done. There will always be something for us to find."
Pilliar said 10 people from the society are expected to attend a special ceremony held in the Legislative Building on the historic State Capitol Campus on May 13.
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