Rypkema will discuss some of the findings and describe the critical role that historic preservation plays in a local economy.
Rypkema has worked with communities in 49 states and 23 countries and is the author of numerous articles and publications as well as a book, "The Economics of Historic Preservation: A Community Leader's Guide."
He served on the board of advisors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is currently on the board of directors of Global Urban Development, and teaches a graduate course on the economics of historic preservation at the University of Pennsylvania.
Other speakers and topics are:
* Chris Kolakowski, executive director of Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association, will talk about regional success stories and land preservation in Perryville. Working with partners in the city, county and state, the Preservation Association has aggressively preserved, interpreted and promoted Perryville Battlefield and its associated sites in downtown Perryville. Kolakowski will give an overview of the preservation efforts at Perryville and highlight the importance of government partnerships.
* Heath Seymour, Main Street manager in Hodgenville, will talk about downtown retail recruitment. The Hodgenville Main Street Association raised capital to purchase and renovate a downtown building and subsequently rent the space to a much needed downtown restaurant.
* Hal B. Goode, executive director of Springfield Washington County Economic Development Agency, will discuss Small Business Development in Washington County. He will discuss how rural parts of Washington County have captured niche market opportunities and provided tools for entrepreneurship.
* Lori Meadows, executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council, will talk about how the council works in rural communities to support artists and crafts persons, non-profit community organizations, local arts councils and government agencies through grants and technical assistance.
* Robert McBride, director of Rockingham Arts & Museum Project, will talk at 1:15 p.m. about challenges he faced in his hometown of Bellows Falls, Vt., population 3,600. Examples of jump-starting a failing downtown by effectively integrating the arts will be demonstrated.
* Julie Wagner, executive director of Heart of Danville, a Main Street Program, will discuss Danville's success stories. She will talk about raising financial capital and community involvement.
The afternoon will conclude with a walking tour of downtown Danville sponsored by the Heart of Danville and a reception at Grayson's Tavern in Constitution Square State Park. The tour is hosted by the Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitor's Bureau and McDowell House Museum.
Tours of restoration work at McDowell House Museum will be offered.
The Rousseau Civil War Lecture Series will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Boyle County Public Library, 307 W. Broadway.
Kolakowski's topic will be "Saved or Paved: The Fight to Save Civil War Battlefields." The program is sponsored by Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association with financial support from the Kentucky Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Rural Heritage Development Initiative is a three-year pilot project studying effective ways to help preserve and promote rural heritage in eight central Kentucky counties: Boyle, Green, Marion, Mercer, Nelson, LaRue, Taylor and Washington.
