Washington, especially its downtown, is full of them. One is in the North Carolina Estuarium. Another is at the southern foot of Market Street. Another is on Clark’s Neck Road.

What are they? They are projects of the Washington Area Historic Foundation.

The Washington Area Historic Foundation, which celebrates its 20^th year of existence this year, has been instrumental in preserving and protecting historic structures such as the Singleton Primitive Baptist Church. The Washington Area Historic Foundation, in conjunction with the Washington Garden Club, renovated and repaired Harding Square. The foundation also was responsible for having a carriage built for the antique cannon unearthed several years ago when the city was doing work near the waterfront. That carriage and cannon is displayed at the North Carolina Estuarium.

The Washington Area Historic Foundation also was instrumental helping obtain grant funds that were used to help build Festival Park.

For those projects, others in the past and those coming in the future, Washington residents and visitors should thank the Washington Area Historic Foundation for its efforts to preserve the city’s historical, cultural and architectural heritage. The Washington Area Historical Foundation is about advocacy and educational efforts when it comes to preserving that heritage.

Ever notice those plaques on many of the historic structures in the city? Those plaques are another project of the Washington Area Historic Foundation.

The foundation is at the forefront of making sure the city’s inventory of historic homes does not disappear. To showcase those homes, the Washington Area Historic Foundation conducts tours of those historic homes on a regular basis to raise funds.

The Washington Area Historic Foundation also helped with the restoration of the skipjack Ada Mae, which was performed at McCotter’s Marina. The Ada Mae was built in 1915 at Rose Bay in Hyde County. It was built by Capt. Ralph Hodges and named for his sister.

One of the admirable projects the Washington Area Historic Foundation takes on each year is producing a Christmas-tree ornament depicting a historic structure in Washington. That’s a wonderful way to help area residents learn about those historic buildings and raise money for the foundation.

Many area residents probably don’t know the Washington Area Historic Foundation exists, but it does. The proof of its existence may be found throughout the city.

Here’s to a long and productive existence for the Washington Area Historic Foundation.