It Takes More than Love to Build a Bridge

"Love can build a bridge" says Winona Judd in her popular country song, but when it comes to replacing the century-old Sears Hill Bridge in Staunton, VA it's going to take cold, hard cash. The Staunton Downtown Development Association, in collaboration with the Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge and The Community Foundation are launching a series of events in mid-2011 to help with the fundraising efforts to replace the popular historic landmark.

The activities will include:
"Save Our Bridge" Video Contest. Contest May 2-June 3. Judging June 6 -17. Screening June 26. Participants will be encouraged to submit videos under 3 minutes that creatively describe "Why We Love the Sears Hill Bridge" using its historical, economic, community and environmental impact as themes.

"Bridges" Storefront Art Gallery. Installation June 12-23. Opening June 24. Running through July 29. Local artists and non-profits will be invited to create art displays in empty storefronts around downtown with "Bridges" as the theme.

"Bridges" Storefront Art Gallery Opening Night. June 24, 6-9pm. The public will be invited to view the displays, "Meet the Artists" and enjoy street entertainment all around the downtown area. Donations will be accepted through the use of QR code technology and collection bins.

"Save Our Bridge" Video Screening Event. June 26, 9pm. A public viewing of a special film event and the top videos chosen from the "Save Our Bridge" contest will be held at the Visulite Cinema, 12 N. Augusta St. Accepting donations for the bridge fund at the door.

Facebook Cause & QR Code Publicity. A Facebook Cause will be launched in conjunction with these events, integrating social networking into the fundraising effort. A QR code campaign targeted at harvesting potential donations in the preliminary stages of the campaign (posters, advertising, etc.), at the June 24 event and throughout July from the window art show will be integrated into all the promotional materials.

For more information and entry forms visit www.stauntondowntown.org

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• sears hill bridge
• staunton downtown
• save our bridge

[sshistory]

The Staunton train station complex, bridge, and path leading up Sears Hill is one of the most memorable places I have ever visited on my travels. I just wish you had used a real preservation magazine like the National Trust for Historic Preservation's PRESERVATION! Best of luck on raising the necessary funds to restore the bridge.

[DowntownStaunton]

@sshistory Thanks for the kudos. We asked PRESERVATION to let us use their cover but they declined :(

[InfraUSA]

Great video! We embedded it on Show Us Your Infra! on InfrastructureUSA and added it to our YouTube playlist. If there's anything else you'd like to share with the infrastructure community, please don't hesitate to join us at InfrastructureUSA!

-InfrastructureUSA Content Manager

[sshistory]

As a long-time NTHP member I am really sad to hear this. Hey NTHP President Stephanie Meeks, we should ALL be working together to save our history!

[RainbowMTN]

love IT!! used to go to Staunton from Waynesboro for over 45 years!! Love the way that Staunton colors of the business and people that live around there...Makes me remember of the Statler Brothers from Staunton in 1967,,HOUND DOG HILL is great!!!

[lillitnn92]

I walked/skated/biked across that bridge some many times as a youngster living in Staunton and growing up on Sears Hill.