A week into National Historic Preservation Month, Historic City of Jefferson has already had a couple of exciting days.
Monday morning, HCJ announced historic Ivy Terrace, 500 E. Capitol Ave., had been sold to a redeveloper.
Then on Wednesday, crews working in front of the Cole County Courthouse made an unexpected discovery - a tunnel running in front of the courthouse along High Street thought to be created in the 1870s or 1880s.
"All those things are very exciting in terms of historic preservation in Jefferson City," HCJ Executive Director Anne Green said. "I think the discovery of the underground area is really exciting because it shows us that history is really all around us in our community, even though we might not see it."
It's a good start to a celebration of Historic Preservation Month that won't go as usual because of ongoing coronavirus concerns.
"Normally we would present some awards and things like that and gather in person, but since we can't do that this year we're trying to do some things remotely," Green said.
The first step started this week. HCJ members were out putting up yard signs in front of historic homes and buildings - those older than 85 years, Green said.
The free signs will go up in front of any building where the owner requests one. Green said HCJ has ordered 100 so far but can get more if needed. They'll be collected at the end of the month.
"The goal of the program is to make people aware of how many historic buildings are actually scattered around Jefferson City," Green said. "I think, of course, a lot of times downtown is recognized for all the historic buildings there, but there's actually historic buildings scattered throughout Jefferson City - the east side, west side, Munichburg."
Green said community members interested in the city's historical buildings could drive around and use the signs to find them.
HCJ has a few other things planned throughout May.
Coloring pages of historic homes and buildings in the area will be available for download from HCJ's website soon.
"That'll be something to keep the kids occupied at home, but also I think it would be a good way for kids to learn more about the city that they live in," Green said.
Education and awareness are the ultimate goals of Historic Preservation Month.
"It's really just to draw awareness," Green said. "We try to do a good job of that throughout the year, but it's great to have a whole month to focus on that."
Green said HCJ also plans to have some video lectures - including one from local historian Bob Priddy - uploaded to its Facebook page.
Virtual tours of historic buildings are also in the works. Typically, HCJ offers in-person home tours.
HCJ is also encouraging the community to shop and dine at local businesses located in historic buildings.
"We want to make sure that we show our appreciation to these people that have chosen to be a small business and utilize our city's historic buildings, and I think especially during this time it's even more important."
With this month also being the anniversary of the May 2019 tornado, Green said, it's especially important to acknowledge the historic buildings we still have and the ones lost.
"We've seen so many changes throughout our community, but especially to some of our historic places in town," Green said. "We lost several over the past year that just could not be saved because of the damaged sustained from the storm."
While some were lost to the tornado, including several on East Capitol Avenue, and others were damaged, Green and HCJ are encouraged by the investment into the remaining properties.
"It's been nice to see people rebuilding and continuing to reinvest in these historic properties even after the storm," Green said. "I think that - paired with the work on Capitol Avenue with some of the houses that have been vacant for so many years finding new owners - it's really exciting for the future of historic preservation in Jefferson City."