As a company with nearly 125 years of service in our local communities, our stories are intertwined with those of the history of the Inland Northwest – some of which we’ll be sharing with about 1,500 visitors in Spokane beginning today for the
National Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference.
The National Trust is a private, non-profit organization chartered by Congress to help protect America’s historic places. The group chose Spokane as this year’s conference location as a way to look beyond their traditional borders, and recognize Spokane’s national reputation for cultural and historic preservation.
“Spokane is a western U.S. city that has a good reputation for historic preservation,” said Bruce Howard, Avista’s director of environmental affairs. “If you look at downtown Spokane, it has a historic feel because buildings like the Davenport Hotel, Steam Plant Square and a number of others were renovated and saved … and we’ve taken care of our facilities too.”
“Spokane is rich in cultural context not only with building and structures, but also Native American history, traditional cultural places and resources,” added Toni Pessemier, Avista’s American Indian relations advisor.
Avista’s history of helping protect, preserve and manage important historic, cultural, and scenic properties in our region associated with the operation of our facilities made us a natural partner in helping to sponsor the conference.
Avista facilities and their stories will be featured in several conference field sessions, including our award-winning Mission Campus – an example of Mid-Century Modern architecture. Other facilities include:
• Steam Plant Square and its preservation story
• Post Street Substation
• Long Lake and Upper Falls Hydroelectric stations
Avista employees have been directly involved as both volunteers and Avista staff.
“This conference puts a national spotlight on Spokane and the Inland Northwest,” said Paul Mann, member of the Board of Advisors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and co-chair of the conference. “Since Avista's history is completely interwoven with the development of this region, it is fitting that the company has taken a leadership role in making this conference a success.”
Did you know?
The Washington Water Power Company (now Avista) was organized in Spokane Falls, as the city was then known, on March 13, 1889, eight months before the Washington Territory was admitted to the union as Washington state.
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