Emily Rebert, Washington’s new preservation planner, has “hands-on” experience when it comes to preserving historic structures.

She’s lived in old homes. She’s familiar with how historic homes and other structures were built, having studied aspects of masonry, carpentry and roofing while going through Edgecombe Community College’s historic preservation program among her educational pursuits.

Rebert, a graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in fine art, worked as an intern with the State Historic Preservation Office in Greenville under John Wood, a restoration specialist and Penn State alumnus.

“My role is, basically, to advise, present facts, perform research and what not and present it to the commission and let them make their ruling … The commission is free to make whatever decision they want, just as long as they have as many facts as possible,” Rebert said about working with the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Rebert said the internship that allowed her to work with Wood and Scott Power, the SHPO regional supervisor, was invaluable in preparing her for her current position.

“I worked directly with John Wood and Scott and a couple of times with Reid Thomas (another restoration specialist) as well. … We went out and actually looked up properties, surveyed properties, worked with homeowners. At that point in time, in the fall of 2014, the (historic preservation) tax credits were beginning to sunset,” Rebert said. “So, there was a lot of discussion of how property owners were using the tax credits to utilize those. It was going out and looking at the different commercial buildings; we did look at a few of those in the commercial district. I did come out here with John Wood and look at Washington and Bath.”

John Rodman, the city’s director of community and cultural services, said hiring Rebert was an easy decision.

“First, I liked how she expressed her passion for historic preservation. She had some knowledge and experience as far as education is concerned. That was another factor, plus she had done some work for the eastern district office of Archives and History. They gave her a favorable recommendation. Those three things, probably, were the deciding factors,” he said.

Rebert decided to seek the planner’s job with the city because of what she saw when she visited Washington.

“I thought the city of Washington was beautiful. I thought, well, I still think, it’s an active community. There’s people that are very passionate about preserving its historic district, the commercial buildings and residential,” Rebert said.

Rebert and her husband, Cody, an Air Force pilot, live in Goldsboro. “When our lease runs out in April, we’ll be moving over here,” she said. They are looking for a home in the historic district.

Rebert said here interest in historic preservation is nothing new.

“Back home in Pennsylvania, I volunteered for the historical society there. It was the York County Heritage Trust,” Rebert said. “You know, I grew up in it. My family, up until I was seven, I lived in a stone house my great-grandparents built. Then we moved a Victorian that was built in 1912. Then we moved into a log home that, through my genealogy research, was in my family back to the 1850s,” Rebert said.

Rebert explained her preservation philosophy.

“It’s not just about preserving architecture. It’s about preserving a cultural heritage. Washington has that. … It comes from being from a small town. It comes from people that were born here, family was born here. It goes back generations,” she said.

Rebert said it is possible for historic preservation to occur and the city to grow and remain vibrant at the same time.

“There is a balance. We see it with the commission meetings, with tackling everything case by case. In these situations, it’s not black and white. Historic preservation isn’t black and white. Each building isn’t black and white. Each has their own story. So, to generalize everything and try to make everything fit a box, it doesn’t work,” Rebert said.

Rebert understands that some people may question or oppose historic preservation guidelines.

“Nothing is more touchy than telling homeowners what they can and cannot do with their property. This is a beautiful town. This is original and unique, and while I’m here, as long as I’m here, I’m going to be an advocate to try to keep it as historically accurate as possible and just present the facts,” she said. “I’m going to do my research and give the commission as much information as possible so they can make the best judgment as possible.”