THE OLDE TOWNE CIVIC LEAGUE
by Martha Ann Creecy with LARGE contributions from Les French and Doris Leitner

Part I

HOW DID WE START !?!?!?
IN THE BEGINNING, ONE STEP AT A TIME…

In the early 1960’s, Congress passed legislature that combined historic preservation and urban renewal. It provided for the creation of Historic Districts. Prior to this, most preservation focused on the homes of important people (that would be the “rich and famous” today). George Washington’s Mount Vernon is the oldest example. Now the architecture of entire neighborhoods could be saved. Low interest loans were provided by Redevelopment and Housing Authorities to encourage rehabilitation. Portsmouth created one of the earliest of these historic districts (Olde Towne) in Virginia. It was built on the work begun by community leaders such as Emily Spong and John Paul Hanbury.
One of the Federal requirements was to have a citizens advisory committee (Project Area Committee / P.A.C.) in each neighborhood for which the city was applying for funding from HUD for projects of renewal, conservation, acquisition and demolition. Some members of our P.A.C. team included: Jim Fillion, Doris Leitner, Ann-Douglas Smith, George Gaffos and Sid Tiesenga.
In 1974, HUD changed some of it’s guidelines, which no longer required a P.A.C., but did require public notice in newspapers and public hearings to be held on federally funded projects proposed by the city – this became CDBG funding (Community Development Block Grant). By 1979, the P.A.C. had become inactive. Two activities prompted the need for a civic league organization: (1) Olde Towne was experiencing a rash of burglaries and people were alarmed. (2) At the same time, developers were approaching the city with ideas for commercial development on London Street. Preliminary organizational notices were delivered to every homeowner and renter in the neighborhood. Over 200 people came to the first meeting and the Olde Towne Civic League comes into being.
A GIANT of a Mission Statement was then crafted : The Olde Towne Civic League having been organized by the residents and property owners to promote the interests, safety, community spirit and well-being of the citizens in the Olde Towne area, and, wishing to identify, protect, acquire, and preserve the area’s vistas, streetscapes, sites, buildings, monuments, structures and objects associated with the history and/or culture of Portsmouth.
In order to achieve these goals, the civic league began with small endeavors. For several years, league members sold cookies at parades, sponsored craft fairs, manned Bar-B-Q stands at events, (such as the Seawall Festival), etc. to raise funds for their lofty goals. These projects provided lots of camaraderie, but not much money (more to come on the money issue later).
Olde Towne Civic League Presidents have been diverse, “come here’s” and “born here’s”. They have had an appreciation for our city’s past and an eye on it’s future. They have “stepped up to the plate” and “rolled up their sleeves”. Innovation and perseverance comes to mind with their leadership. Please thank these folks when you see them, they are the reason we are where we are.

Les French (1979 – 1981)
Robert (Bob) Albertson (1981 – 1983)
David Leonard (1983 – 1985)
Anne McGlynn (1985 – 1987)
Sid Tiesenga (1987 – 1989)
Alan Gollihue (1989 – 1991)
Robbie Lee (1991 – 1993)
Tim Lyke (1993 – 1994)
Les French (1994 – 1996)
Martha Ann Creecy (1996 – 1998)
Kimberly Carlson Hahneman (1998 – 2000)
Jeanne Larcombe (2000 – 2002)
Michelle Weiss (2002 – 2004)
Jim Smith (2004 – 2006)
Irv Lindley (2006 – Present)

BUT, in addition to these folks, here’s some more folks who have done the “sleeve roll” thing: Amy Castleberry, Cathi Bunn, Doris Leitner, Ann-Douglas Smith, Gail Tiesenga, Rob and Susan Hansen, Robbie Lee, Jean Knapp, Katherine Schuhr, Alice Bova, John Larcombe, Ellen Byrd, John and DeDe Braley, Joy Young, Kevin and Claire-Marie Fisher-O’Leary, Duane Lamkin, Margaret Lewis, Tom Olds, Shippy Reed, Jeff Ghent, Duane Craps, Donna Blonts, Cathy Preddy, Ruth Johnson, Anne Davis, Gerry Nichols, Shirley Brockwell, Charolotte Miceli (Byrd), Mike Riely, Thelma Gordon, Ellen Byrd, Nate and Heather, Julis Mardis, Elizabeth Smith and many, many more. Who are these folks and what did they do? I’m sure that you recognize some of the names, but as you can see, there have been many people who have worked in small jobs and behind the senses to make this a great neighborhood, not to mention how our neighborhood has become a great asset to the city of Portsmouth. From visitors to neighbors, we put our best foot forward.

Part II

WHAT HAVE WE DONE!?!?!?
PLENTY OF STUFF WITH LOTS OF FOLKS....

The Olde Towne Ghost Walk (est.1980) was patterned after the “Jack the Ripper Walk” in London (as in England in the United Kingdom, the one across the “pond”). Two very astute civic league members (Carolyn Castlebury and Cathi Bunn) jumped on the idea and thus a very important event was born. Not only did the civic league benefit, but the city of Portsmouth has also benefited from the great event which brings folks from all over the Hampton Roads area and beyond (we’ve had folks from as far away as Wisconsin, Texas, and Kansas).

The Olde Towne Christmas Tour (est.1996) was a result of a statewide City Clerk Convention being held in Portsmouth and hosted by the City Clerk of Portsmouth. She (Shelia Pittman) called the President of OTCL (that would be me) and asked if there was any way that some of the homes in Olde Towne could be opened up for a tour during the Clerk’s Convention. As most of you who know me, know I’m not into details, so I said, “YES”. I didn’t have a clue about what it takes to pull an event together, but, with about 2 months notice, the civic league jumped into action. Thus, another great event was born. Again, the city of Portsmouth has benefited from an event that brings folks from all over the Hampton Roads area. Gail Tiesenga stepped up to the proverbial plate and Chaired.

These two events have made the pages of national and local magazines. Our forward thinking (Olde Towne Foundation) has put us on the forefront of innovative civic leagues in Hampton Roads and most likely, the country.

The Olde Towne PUFF (Portsmouth Under Four Flags) Tour was done in 2000 in response to the city being involved in OP Sail 2000. Once again, the civic league stepped right on up to the plate. Barbara Early (Chair) had an idea, and thus the PUFF Tour was born. The civic league supported the initiative with “time, talent and treasure” as they say. We had lots of members (Saunders & Barbara Early, Peter & Sarah Youngblood, Jeannette Rainey, Carla Welsh, Dan Schmit, David Rietz, Mary Heaster, and Sarah Steele just to name a few) in period costumes highlighting our city’s history that June weekend.
Accomplishments:
Supporting Our Neighborhood / Community:
(1) The Olde Towne Lantern (Community Newsletter), est. 1996
(2) Olde Towne Civic League Directory, est. 1996
(3) Olde Towne Civic League Foundation, est. 1998
(4) The Wright House ( 601-603 London Street) which the civic league purchased from the PRHA in 1996. With “sweat equity” and hard-earned monies accumulated from over the years (in addition, we raised over $5,000.00 for the project), the community rehabbed the house and sold it. This was the beginning of the revitalization of the entire 600 block of London Street (we even had the name changed from London Boulevard to London Street beginning at Effingham Street and ending at Water Street so that the sign on Valerie Cosnotti’s house was no longer incorrect).
(5) Playground equipment for the Middle Street Park bought and installed by the civic league. One of our members (Anne Davis) paid the freight charges (not chump change, I might add) to get the equipment here.
(6) North Street Park has been planted, weeded and watered by civic leaguers (our 2007 OTCL Picnic will be held here)
Washington Street Park is now the community focus of the Beautification Committee with plantings, cleanups and a gorgeous wrought iron fence being lovingly repaired, refurbished and installed at a corner gateway to our community. (we might want to think about the 2006 Scotts “ Community Beautification Gardener of the Year” Award).

These are some of the “big ticketed” items that have been accomplished. But, trust me, there have been hundreds of “small” things throughout our community that have made this a great neighborhood. One of the “small” things was the missing cornice brackets on the “Wright House”. In steps, Roney Leitner in his wood shop made eight replicas at minimal costs instead of the $200.00 to 300.00 quoted by cabinet shops. We can thank Kathy Williams-Preddy for acting as general contractor/architect on the “Wright House” and countless volunteers on Saturday mornings fulfilling the “sweat equity” part of the project. Another one of the “small” things was when our very own “Johnny Appleseed” (that’s Barbara McKown) decided to spruce up the strip of “grass” between the side walk and curb in the “lower” 300 block of Dinwiddie Street. The project began quite innocently, someone threw out plants that were still green and living. The replanting morphed into purchasing trees, dividing plants that she had raised and asking neighbors for “donations” from their gardens. Some of Barbara’s neighbors (thrilled to the teeth or is that “curb” with the transformation) nominated her for the 2003 Scotts “Community Beautification Gardner of the Year” Award.
Supporting Our City:
(1) Vision 2005 – Downtown Committee (many of us served on this committee beginning in 1996) for the revitalization of our downtown and our waterfront (we have almost 88 miles of shoreline in our city)
(2) Vision 2005 - 600 Block of London Street Committee (some of us served on this committee also, to ensure that the new homes being built would be compatible and almost discernable from the original homes that had been “saved” {thanks to C.A.R. and support from OTCL} from the “demo mentality” that was prevalent at the city and PRHA at the time)
(3) Portsmouth Mounted Police Patrol
(4) Park View Elementary School (the only accredited Montessori School in the state) with notebooks, pencils, music lessons and monies)
(5) Portsmouth Public Library (Children’s Corner)
(6) Helped to revise the City Codes to include a provision for Bed and Breakfasts
(7) Many of us serve and have served as appointees to Boards and Commissions for our city. We also volunteer our time and energy for events that showcase our city (Holiday House 5K Run, Todifest, Crawford Bay Crew Classic (sponsored by PortsEvents), Elizabeth River Run, just to name a few).
We are hardworking, dedicated, and innovative citizens. We believe in our neighborhood and our city. We “step up” and “dig in” on a regular basis. We are “out of the box” thinkers. Nothing speaks louder, clearer and better that our participation. We have a great neighborhood, thanks to ALL of us.