What is the Project? Briefly, what are you planning to do, and how will it benefit the trail system?
The first set of signs along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail have been an absolute success in not only informing the public, but getting people interested in the history of our community. For example, the current sign at the Brickyard location has had people stop and realize that there was something along the trail rather than just a disused railroad. Multiple people have said that without the sign there they would have not noticed the remnants of the brickyard through the trees. These signs are not only helping to inform, educate, and entertain, but they provide a link to the past of the area that would otherwise be forgotten by the people walking right past it.
What Are You Asking the Fund to Provide? Be specific about what you're asking the Fund to support and how that fits into the overall project. Give an approximate budget for the project that shows what you’re asking the fund to provide and any other funds you’re planningon.
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1) I am asking the Fund to help cover the costs of printing fifteen additional 18" x 24" plaques (composed of Di-bond aluminum with a plastic core and a UV-resistant laminate to protect against vandalism) plus one replacement for a plaque printed in Phase 1 of this project that contained a graphical error (Washington’s Camp plaque). Each sign will be installed on a wooden post, whose cost will be covered by the Westmoreland Heritage Trail Chapter’s current funds, including those donated by sponsors of our Phase 1 historical plaques.
$XX per sign x 16 signs = $X,XXX
Price quoted on April 27, 2020 by Mastro Signs of Trafford (a small business located in a town along the trail, who printed the last set of signs for us.)
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2) All research and design for the plaques, as well as the time, materials, and labor required to fasten and install the plaques along the trail once they are printed will be donated by me, my family, and other trail volunteers.
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3) Sign maintenance and repair will be paid for by sponsorship donations from local businesses, organizations, and private citizens. Several potential sponsors have already been solicited, including local businesses and historical societies. To find additional sponsors, we are adding temporary laminated notes to our Phase 1 installed signs which will advertise sponsorship opportunities. When sponsors sign up, they will be acknowledged by a permanent metal sign on the post. The cost of printing this sign is included in the sponsor’s donation.
What Will Volunteers Do? Be clear about how much volunteer effort will be involved, along with the value of that effort compared to the materials you are asking the Fund to provide.
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1) I will research the history of sites identified to be of historical interest along the trail (approximately 30-40 hours of internet and library research to find facts and illustrations). As a future high-school educator in the field of history (currently enrolled at Clarion University), I am familiar with various sources of historical information including historical maps.
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2) I will design each plaque using PowerPoint and also create a QR code to link back to the Westmoreland Heritage Trail's website: https://westmorelandheritagetrail.com/educational-maps/
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3) Once the plaques are printed and assembled, I will identify the best locations to place them along the trail by consulting with the Chapter board and local historical experts.
