Historic Preservation Commission — Boone, NC
Date: 2026-04-15

Town of Boone
 Historic Preservation Commission Advisory Meeting
 3:00 PM, March 3, 2026
 Planning & Inspections Conference Room
 680 W. King St., Suite C
 Boone, NC 28607


 The public may attend the meeting in person at the Planning and Inspections
 Conference Room at 680 West King Street, Suite C, or online via WebEx, a video
 conferencing software.

 Public Comment: To give public comment, you should appear in person at the physical
 location of this meeting. Persons who attend the meeting remotely via WebEx may be
 permitted to speak during public comment but are not assured of that opportunity.

 WebEx Participation: To join online or by phone, email Planning and Inspections at
 planning@boonenc.gov or call 828-268-6960, and you will receive an email invitation.
 Requests must be submitted no later than one hour before the meeting begins.

 I. Call to Order

 II. Adoption of Agenda

 III. Public Comment

 IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes

 1. January 3, 2026, HPC Advisory Meeting Minutes

 V. Advisory Session Items for Discussion

 1. Updates on Stoneman's Raid Interpretative Panel Installation

 2. Review of Boone/Kraut Creek Historic Marker Report

 3. HPC Work Plan Review for Fiscal Year 2026-2027

 4. Daniel Boone Park Summit Invitation

 VI. Other Matters

 1. Certified Local Government (CLG) Required Training Status/Check-In




Town of Boone Historic Preservation March 3, 2026
 Commission
 1

TOWN OF BOONE
 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
 ADVISORY MEETING MINUTES
 March 3, 2026, 3:00 pm
 Planning & Inspections Department & WebEx Video Conferencing
________________________________________________________________________________________
Historic Preservation Commission Members Present: Bettie Bond-Vice-Chair, Krystal Carter, Bennie
Gaetano, and Melody Oxendine
Town Staff Present: Jessica Mitchell-Advanced Planning Specialist, Virginia Roseman-Council Member
Liaison (via WebEx), Lane Moody-Downtown Development Coordinator (via WebEx), and David Pedersen-
Board Clerk
________________________________________________________________________________________
Call to Order
Vice-Chair Bond called the Boone Historic Preservation Commission meeting, held in the Planning &
Inspections Conference Room at 680 West King Street, Suite C, and via WebEx to order at 3:01 pm.
Adoption of Agenda
Commission Member Carter made a motion, seconded by Commission Member Gaetano, to adopt the
agenda as presented.
Vote: Aye – 4
 Nay – 0
The motion passed.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Approval of Minutes
Commission Member Gaetano made a motion, seconded by Commission Member Oxendine, to approve the
January 3, 2026, Historic Preservation Commission Advisory meeting minutes.
Vote: Aye – 4
 Nay – 0
The motion passed.
Stoneman’s Raid Interpretative Panel – Review Revised Draft Proof by Civil War Trails Marker Program
Ms. Mitchell began by providing updates on the Stoneman’s Raid interpretive panel. She stated that Civil War
Trails (CWT) informed her that the panel had been fabricated and were looking at dates in late April or early
May to integrate installation of the panel into their route of other planned panel installations. Ms. Mitchell
stated that she obtained decorative materials for a ribbon cutting ceremony and that she’d like the
Commission to decide on tentative dates for the ceremony. She pointed out that previous markers’
ceremonies had been held during the day around 1 pm. The HPC briefly discussed post-graduation dates
being ideal and potential dates of Town meetings in May that may interfere. Lane Moody pointed out that
Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) is working on Downtown Boone restaurant week May
18 – May 23 and would be looking into partnering with Watauga Education Foundation. She wondered if this
week could be a good fit for the ceremony, especially since it is post-graduation as HPC discussed.
Commission Member Gaetano suggested that Tuesday, May 19 might be appropriate. Ms. Mitchell pointed

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out that she would like to have two dates to present to Town Council as options for the ceremony. HPC
members discussed what times would be appropriate, noting that 1 pm can be difficult for people who don’t
work Downtown but would like to attend, while 4:30 pm might be a little late for Town staff. Within the
discussion, Ms. Moody was asked what times restaurant week events would be held. She stated that it would
vary by day, but generally events could be at any time of day for breakfast through dinner. The HPC decided
on a time of 3 pm on either Tuesday, May 19 or Thursday, May 21.
Ms. Mitchell stated that she would present these dates to Town Council the following week. She also noted
that event logistics would be decided closer to the selected date, and she would confirm if a potential closure
of Linney St. is needed for the event. She also informed the HPC that a press release and social media posts
were in the works with CWT. Ms. Mitchell informed the HPC that CWT had requested a quote reflecting
community sentiment from the HPC, and that Chair Smyth was willing to provide one. She informed the HPC
that as he would be speaking on behalf of the HPC, a motion was required for him to provide the quote.
Commission Member Carter made a motion, seconded by Commission Member Oxendine, to approve Chair
Smyth providing a quote to Civil War Trails on behalf of the HPC.
Vote: Aye – 4
 Nay – 0
The motion passed.
Ms. Moody stated that she would be willing to provide a quote from the DBDA on an association level as well.
Ms. Mitchell stated she would confirm with CWT about additional quotes and appreciated the offer.
Ms. Mitchell introduced Adelia Daly, who was attending the meeting as a representative from the Historical
Society and Digital Watauga, and will also be speaking at the ceremony. Adelia inquired about the typical
brevity of the speaking at the ceremonies, to which Vice-Chair Bond stated that 5-6 minutes is typical. Ms.
Mitchell stated that if convenient, it might be helpful to have Adelia at the April 7, 2026, Advisory Meeting
for discussion purposes. She also noted that she would include as invitees to the event Town Council
members, the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), the Watauga County Historical Society
(WCHS), and current & former HPC members to encourage attendance at the event. Adelia inquired about
tone/content of comments at the ceremony, to which Vice-Chair Bond recommended that focus stay on the
statement of the historical event. Vice-Chair Bond invited Adelia to stay for the remainder of the meeting.
Review of Boone/Kraut Creek Historic Marker Report
Ms. Mitchell introduced the next topic of discussion and noted that Council Member Liaison Roseman would
be joining via WebEx late.
Lane Moody left the meeting at 3:28pm.
Commission Member Oxendine began by stating that she had recently re-researched and rewritten the
report to be more cohesive, as the previous draft was the work of 3 authors. She felt that the title should
change from North State Canning Company, as that name is only part of the history of the building. She
suggested changing the name to Watauga Kraut Factory, feeling that it might do more service to the history
of the building. Vice-Chair Bond noted that it had contained other entities prior to USDA. Commission
Member Oxendine acknowledged this and confirmed an information gap for the building between 1981 and
1987. Vice-Chair Bond stated that American Wicker was there for a time. She also noted that she had
grammatical feedback that could be discussed separately. Ms. Mitchell noted that she found a previous
version of the report (December 2025) to compare and also had some feedback on structure and flow, citing
some specific examples. She went on to reiterate that in previous drafts, work was focused on filling in gaps
of the history of the canning company – founded in a cooperative effort of Steele and Blair, the ownership
transfer to W.F. Miller around 1928, and the closure of the canning company to its current use as an

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agricultural center. Vice-Chair Bond addressed the information gap and presented the idea of simply stating
that production ceased in 1981. Ms. Mitchell added that the report can state there is a research gap, and
mentioned the research suggestions from the previous report. She then noted that the details of the
building’s façade were helpful and addressed one of the research gaps. She then inquired about the previous
detail of a steam engine. Commission Member Oxendine responded that she could not find research on the
engine and removed the reference to it. Ms. Mitchell responded that she thought this report’s writing was
more well-rounded overall, addressed the previously listed research suggestions, and asked the Commission
about pursuing Option 4 for the marker text as a combination of all the others. Vice-Chair Bond suggested
changing the verbiage of “southeast” to “from Maryland to Florida.” Ms. Mitchell shared the report on the
screen and made the discussed change to the Option 4 marker text.
Council Member Liaison Roseman joined via WebEx at 3:40pm.
Ms. Mitchell inquired whether any of the previously discussed collections at Appalachian State University
provided any helpful information. Commission Member Oxendine stated that they did not initially, but she
may revisit them. She also provided the update that she was able to recently visit the inside of the previous
factory and got contacts for potential further research. Ms. Mitchell summarized by stating there will be some
final fine-tuning of the report for grammatical revisions, that she would pass along any communication from
Chair Smyth, and that this would be revisited in the April HPC Advisory Meeting.
HPC Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Ms. Mitchell directed the HPC to page 17 in the agenda packet as a reference visual. She provided a brief
overview of each work plan item, and began with that she was taking on completion of the Jones House Local
Historic Landmark Report and that it is being reviewed by the team at the Planning and Inspections
Department. After the internal review is completed, she will present the report to the HPC before forwarding
it to Town Council for consideration of referral to the State Historic Preservation Office (HPO). Vice-Chair
Bond inquired about a completion timeline for the report. Ms. Mitchell answered that she is hopeful for this
year, but it depends on text amendments and other cases for the public hearing meetings. She continued on
to mention Appendix D, the status of which is currently ongoing.
Vice-Chair Bond inquired about the Ice House Alley Historic Marker. Ms. Mitchell responded that the marker
would be regarding the history of how the alley was actually used and they were estimating the end of the
calendar year to receive the report. Ms. Mitchell continued that Town Council had directed that the next
item for HPC after Kraut Creek would be the Interpretive Panel for Clawson Burnley Park, emphasizing the
importance of Loretta Clawson and Velma Burnley as the only women in local mayoral leadership.
Vice-Chair Bond inquired about the Historic District Light Pole Banners, which Ms. Mitchell addressed as being
on hold due to the current updating of Town branding, which is tentatively set to go before Town Council in
March. Ms. Mitchell also mentioned that the Boone Street Names/Histories Project would be periodically
revisited as time allowed and that the Boone Cemetery Survey would require further planning. Vice-Chair
Bond added that a common/standardized form to be filled out for each cemetery marker or headstone could
be utilized. Commission Member Oxendine volunteered to assist with the creation of that form, as she
currently assists Blowing Rock Museum with similar standardization tasks.
Ms. Mitchell mentioned that the Winkers Creek Dam Site would be put on hold until Town Council took action
on the property. Vice-Chair Bond inquired whether the Town owned the property in question and Council
Member Liaison Roseman confirmed that it did, also noting that they didn’t want to emphasize the dam for
public viewing until an access trail was in place.
Ms. Mitchell noted that she had spoken to Town Council about the Boone Tobacco Industry Marker after the
Planning Retreat, stating that it is likely on hold until next fiscal year. She proceeded to summarize the
request: a private property owner was aware that their property was near the site of previous Tobacco

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Warehouses and brought it to the attention of the Town. Staff presented this topic to Town Council, where
there was a discussion of future HPC research, noting 3 warehouses previously in the area and that the Town
currently has a tobacco scale.
Vice-Chair Bond inquired about the status of Rivers House Research (R.L. Clay (Rivers) House Local Historic
Landmark Property), with Ms. Mitchell replying that some renovations were underway, as previously brought
to the HPC through COA cases. Vice-Chair Bond clarified and asked if there was an existing marker or panel
about the house, noting that the family was important to local history, and she’d like to see the house ready
for the public. Ms. Mitchell stated that it could be discussed with Town Council at a future time to consider
for the HPC work plan.
Council Member Liaison Roseman inquired about dates for the Stoneman’s Raid Interpretive Panel since she
joined late, and Ms. Mitchell provided a summary of what was previously discussed.
Commission Member Gaetano inquired about updates to the Article 8 & Appendix D Revisions. Ms. Mitchell
stated there were not yet any updates due to Planning and Inspections’ workload. However, she added that
draft text for the mural text amendment would likely be ready for the April HPC Advisory Meeting after Town
Staff Review, prior before taking it to public hearing.
Daniel Boone Park Summit Invitation
Ms. Mitchell directed the HPC to the agenda packet which contained a proposed agenda for the Daniel Boone
Park Summit. Vice-Chair Bond inquired about the date of the event, and Ms. Mitchell replied that it was
scheduled for Friday, March 20. Ms. Mitchell noted the agenda listed the different parties that are scheduled
to be involved. She also stated that Town Council has had discussion of a Historic Landmark designation at
the property. Ms. Mitchell noted that it was not mandatory but encouraged for the HPC to attend. Vice-Chair
Bond inquired about the location of the meeting, and Ms. Mitchell answered that it would take place at Town
Council Chambers. Ms. Mitchell noted that the HPC’s timeslot for discussion was in the afternoon, but they
were welcome and encouraged to attend for the whole day. She also noted that leadership from the Planning
& Inspections department leadership would be in attendance. The HPC discussed individual attendance and
Ms. Mitchell mentioned the possibility of a remote attendance option.
Other Matters
Ms. Mitchell brought up the Certified Local Government (CLG) webinar training opportunities, including the
January 22 webinar on supporting skilled preservation trades. She stated that she would look for additional
training options for the HPC.
Ms. Mitchell updated the HPC on the HVAC work happening on the Downtown Post Office building. She
stated that Staff wanted to share that the work would fall under a Statement of Conformity (SoC). Vice-Chair
Bond emphasized the importance of restoring heat in the Post Office. Ms. Mitchell specified that the
Statement of Conformity was due to a conduit line that will need to run alongside the building, ensuring that
any attachments are through the mortar joints, and that they will return and paint it an appropriate color.
Ms. Mitchell mentioned the Rivers House Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony that is to take place on Friday, April
17, from 3 pm-7 pm, with the official cutting taking place at 3:30 pm.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 pm.
Vote: Aye – 4
 Nay – 0
The motion passed.


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_________________________________ _______________________________________
Bettie Bond, Vice-Chair David Pedersen, Board Clerk




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