Heritage Preservation Commission

HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION

The goals of the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) are to:

1.  Safeguard the heritage of the City of Ely by preserving sites and structures which reflect elements of the city’s cultural, social, economic, political, visual or architectural history;
2.  Protect and enhance the City of Ely’s appeal to residents, visitors, and tourists, and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry;
3. Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past; and,
4. Promote the continued use of historic sites and structures for the education and general welfare of the people of the City of Ely.

 

Current initiatives of the Commission:

• Ely Memorial High School Graduates Video/Oral Histories Project - To celebrate the centennial anniversary of Ely Memorial High School in 2024, the Heritage Preservation Commission brought together 13 graduates in a video/oral histories project.
• History Happy Hour - Free event that brings community members together to inspire a deeper interest in through a light-hearted trip back in time. Held monthly October through May.
• The Gawboy Mural - Created in 1960 by Carl Gawboy, the original mural is a spectacular woodland scene that spanned four walls in the former Community Center. Fast forward to the 2020s, the Heritage Preservation Commission brought together artist Carl Gawboy and photographer Curt Laine to re-create the mural via photography.
• Tour Ely brochure & website - Features 60 area sites from logging and mining locations, historic places, notable houses, museums, points of interest, and outdoor recreation. Multi-media: printed brochure and dedicated website with access via a QR code.

 

There are five voting members of the Commission and a City Council Member serves as a non-voting liaison to the Commission. Commissioners are appointed by the City Council to 3-year staggered terms.

Angela Campbell Council Member Liaison
Margaret Egan Co-Chair Term Expires: 01-31-2028 Open Seat Term Expires: 01-31-2027
Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 8 am at City Hall.

 

Prior initiatives of the Commission: