By Meg Hibbert
The newly formed Preston Place Preservation Foundation Inc. received a $35,000 donation from the City of Salem to help preserve Salem’s oldest home.
Funds will go to fix the roof of the 1821 house, with whatever is left going toward the heating ventilation and air conditioning system.
The unanimous action came at Monday night’s Council meeting.
The two-story brick home on West Main Street across from Walmart was given to the Salem Historical Foundation by the family of the late Dr. Esther Brown, Salem’s first female physician. Earlier this year, the historical society sold it to the 501 c 3 foundation for $2.50.
Preston Place was home to the White Oak Tea Tavern for several years until it closed during the COVID pandemic. Afterwards GLOW Healing Arts holistic wellness center was located in the house until recently.
It was given to the Salem Historical Society by the family of the late Dr. Esther Brown, the first female physician in Salem. For several years the house was the home of the White Oak Tea Tavern until it succumbed during the COVID pandemic.
Foundation officers present at Monday night’s meeting were President David Robbins, Vice President Dr. Whitney Leeson, Secretary Stella Reinhard and Treasurer Susan Garrison, with board members John Long, Frankie Robbins, John Garrison and Victoria Brown, Dr. Esther Brown’s granddaughter. Jack Susser and Marlene Preston are also board members.
Last month Council unanimously approved a resolution to convey Preston Place to the new 501 c 3 foundation, and to authorize $275,000 for the Salem Historical Society to use for roof repairs and heating ventilation /air conditioning needs at the Salem Museum.
In other matters at the meeting, Council:
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Adopted a resolution paving the way for the City of Salem to purchase $3.2 million in electricity from AEP Energy Partners for the city’s needs over the next few years;
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Heard from Salem Planning Commission Chairman Dee King, who presented the planning commission’s annual report;
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Heard the annual update from Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission Executive Director Jeremy Holmes. The commission is one of 21 in Virginia created by the state to help localities create solutions to local and regional problems;
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Awarded certificates of convenience to two B Early and Reid Taxi to provide taxi services in Salem. The action came after a public hearing at which no one spoke.
The meeting concluded at 7:16. All five councilmembers were present.
