The Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission has partnered with county, state and federal entities for over four decades to preserve Jefferson County’s historic resources, and now the JCHLC is unveiling a new look to accompany those efforts into the 21st-century.

The new logo features elements that JCHLC has focused on for nearly half a century, with a historic home and rolling fields prominent in the design, signifying the historic homes and landscapes of the county. JCHLC is pleased with the new brand and believes it reflects the mission and the cultural and historic significance of the many sites it has worked to preserve and will continue to preserve moving forward, according to Martin Burke, chairman of the JCHLC.

“We never had a logo before, just a letterhead,” Burke said. “We’ve been starting to produce more interpretive materials like brochures and rack cards, and we thought we needed a logo to help drive our heritage tourism efforts.”

The new logo was produced by a local design firm, Eden Design, of Kearneysville.

“We’re honored to be a part of the Landmarks Commission’s new branding strategy,” said company founder Jen Rolston. “Their work to protect historic spaces and structures is so important to our county and its rich cultural and scenic heritage.”

The updated brand will be reflected on JCHLC interpretive materials, brochures and signage, along with a digital presence on JCHLC’s recently updated website and Facebook page.

Burke said the JCHLC has ramped up its efforts to disseminate information about the organization and its activities on Facebook.

“The Facebook page was launched in January, and we have about 850 followers now,” he said. “We post almost daily, featuring historic buildings and sites we care about, historical information and our activities.”

Burke said the JCHLC is currently working with the Jefferson County Planning Commission to create a process for “delay of demolition,” which would allow members to take an inventory of historic sites or buildings prior to their demolition to make way for new development.

“Delay of demolition is a way to document structures before they’re destroyed. We can’t stop the demolition, but it is a common historic preservation tool,” Burke said.

Additionally, the JCHLC is currently working with the Civil War Trust and the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association to acquire land located within the core area of the battlefield, a site near the Potomac River where the 1862 Battle of Shepherdstown occurred.

According to Burke, the JCHLC is the local government sponsor of the land acquisition initiative, and the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association is the advocacy group.

“We are the partner with the Civil War Trust for acquiring land, and the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association is like the ‘friends of’ group. The Civil War Trust brings half of the money to the table, and we apply for grants for the remaining funding,” he said. “We actually just found out we are getting a federal grant for the acquisition of a nine-acre tract of land in October.”

For more information on JCHLC, its mission and historic preservation efforts in Jefferson County, visit www.JeffersonCountyHLC.org or www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyHLC.