Historic Elmira's 4th Amazing Elmira Treasure Hunt:
The Search is Over
Christine Klee is the 2014 Winner
ELMIRA, NY * In honor of National Preservation Month, Historic Elmira Inc. celebrated its 4th Annual Amazing Elmira Treasure Hunt with Pierce and Bickford Architecture. The purpose of the treasure hunt was to raise awareness about the many historic buildings and sites in the greater Elmira area and to honor historic preservation.
"I was delighted by all of the responses this year - talking to enthusiastic people around town, the entry forms being distributed to more community partners, and so many returned with thoughtful notes," said Kaye Newbury, Historic Elmira, Inc. President. "What a pleasure to know that after 150 years, Elmira still enchants those who see her up close."
The 4th Annual Amazing Elmira Treasure Hunt winner is Christine Klee, a long-time resident, a mother, a tennis coach, and an employee of the Elmira Heights School District. Klee turned the contest into a real family affair, involving both her 11-year-old daughter and her husband. With the minutes melting away, Klee tracked down her final missing clue (#12: 406-408 W. Church Street).
"On the Friday night before the contest ended, I was determined to find the last one so I asked my husband to help and we found it almost immediately after exiting the highway at Church Street," detailed Klee.
Klee commented on the Pierce and Bickford theme and how the treasure hunt encouraged participants to view the buildings in a new light; to notice the elements that create the inherent value of historical architecture.
"Having lived in the Elmira area most of my life, I have driven down these streets numerous times and never noticed many of these buildings," explained Klee. "I started to look more closely at the buildings and noticed patterns and designs that helped me to understand the type of architecture pictured." Her efforts are being rewarded with a check for $150.
The 4th Annual Amazing Elmira Treasure Hunt featured original photography from Sam Halperin. Halperin, an 18-year-old, represents a new generation of enthusiastic preservationists. He volunteered his time to locate and photograph the architectural elements of the Pierce and Bickford buildings all over the city as well as attend local meetings and interviews to build awareness for Historic Elmira.
Historic Elmira's Amazing Elmira Treasure Hunt was set up similar to a scavenger hunt, where participants had to identify twenty icons of Pierce and Bickford architecture throughout Elmira's historic sites as possible. A record number of participants turned in completed entry forms and of those, 14 entries were 100% correct, necessitating a drawing to determine the winner. Thank you to all who participated and congratulations to Christine Klee.The Amazing Elmira Treasure Hunt answer key can be found at www.HistoricElmira.org
The mission of Historic Elmira, Inc. is to champion historic preservation in the Elmira region by providing education, advocacy, collaboration, and facilitation in activities supporting preservation and enhancements of buildings and sites of historic significance.
###
Media Contact: Kaye C. Newbury, President, Historic Elmira, Inc.
Telephone: (607) 731-0395
Email: knewbury@HistoricElmira.org
