Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission to Convene for Key Decisions and Updates

The Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission has announced its upcoming meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend this session, which will take place in the County Commission Meeting Room on the ground floor of the new Jefferson County Commission Building, accessible via the side entrance at 393 N. Lawrence Street in Charles Town, West Virginia. This meeting’s agenda includes significant discussions on the commission’s operational procedures, public outreach, and the preservation of county landmarks.

The meeting will commence with the call to order, followed by the approval of minutes from the commission’s December 2025 and January 2026 meetings. A period for public comment will be allocated, allowing residents to share their thoughts and concerns with the commission. Under new business, the commission is slated to appoint its officers for the upcoming term. A notable introduction will be made of David Abruzzi, who is joining the board of the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia as a new member and regional representative.

A significant portion of the agenda is dedicated to the commission’s online presence. Discussions will cover the progress of recovering content for the Historic Landmarks Commission website and the development of a new site. Furthermore, the commission will explore the possibility of establishing a landing page on the County Commission website to enhance accessibility to information.

Updates to the JCHLC bylaws are also a key item. These proposed revisions aim to modernize the commission’s governing documents, including the adoption of gender-neutral language, such as changing “Chairman” to “Chair.” The meeting day and frequency will be reviewed to align with current practices, and email will be considered as an approved method for polling commission members. Grammatical corrections are also part of the proposed updates. Additionally, the commission will review the “Certificate of Appropriateness” and “Survey and Evaluation” sections of the bylaws.

The commission will also address a directive from the County Commission concerning a proposed amendment to the “Historic Resource Protection” section of the Jefferson County Subdivision and Land Use Regulations. Another item on the agenda is the selection of an instructor for a Plein Air workshop to be held at Peter Burr Farm, a local historic site.

The meeting will also include reports and announcements. The Treasurer’s Report will be presented, alongside updates from the Social Media and Website committees. Reports on cemetery projects and updates on the status of various JCHLC properties are also scheduled. This includes updates on the James Osbourn Farm, Duffields Depot, and Peter Burr Farm. Finally, an update on the Johnsontown Church, including a meeting with electrical contractors, will be provided.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission Agenda

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