Westfield HPC’s “May Madness” Bracket Challenge
The Westfield Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will celebrate National Preservation Month with “May Madness,” a bracket challenge pitting historic home designs against each other in a style showdown. Each week, the public is invited to vote for their preferred architectural styles ranging from classical to Victorian to modern. Results will be updated as the bracket narrows from “Sweet 16” to the “Elite 8” and “Final Four,” with the winner announced at the end of May.
“With ‘May Madness,’ the HPC is once again taking a playful approach to getting residents to consider the remarkable variety of architecture found throughout Westfield,” said Maria Boyes, HPC chair. “While style preferences are clearly very subjective, it will be fun to see which one of our many winning styles comes out on top.”
Using the recently updated “Design Guidelines for Historic Sites and Districts” as its resource, the bracket will feature 16 different architectural styles found throughout the town. Popular designs such as Colonial Revival and Tudor will be pitted against “lower seeds” like Gothic Revival or Shingle Style. Participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the stylistic elements and historic background behind Westfield’s rich architectural heritage by looking through the nearly 200 illustrations featured in the online Design Guidelines.
The “May Madness” bracket and the “Design Guidelines for Historic Sites and Districts” can be found on the commission’s website atwestfieldnj.gov/historicpreservation. Recognizing the cultural significance of Westfield’s rich historic and architectural heritage, the HPC was established by municipal ordinance in December 1984. The HPC is charged with preserving historical sites and structures while fostering an appreciation for these landmarks as an essential element of the town’s unique character.
