SALISBURY — From protecting landmarks to revitalizing neighborhoods, Historic Salisbury Foundation had a good year, according to a report made Thursday night by Executive Director Karen Hobson.

Hobson reviewed some of the foundation’s work as part of the organization’s 45th annual meeting. A good-sized crowd attended the meeting in the foundation-owned Salisbury Station.

The guest speaker was Salisbury native Wyndham Robertson, who had a distinguished career in journalism with Fortune magazine and in education with the University of North Carolina system.

Beyond Robertson’s talk, a special point in the evening was Doug Black being named “trustee emeritus” in recognition of all the volunteer work he has done for the foundation since 2001.

Black is best known as the leader of “Black’s Brigade,” a team of volunteers who often stabilize the foundation’s revolving fund properties before they are put back on the market for owner-driven restorations.

Black received the foundation’s highest award, the Clement Cup, in 2011 and was Volunteer of the Year in 2012. He has played a significant role in virtually all foundation projects over the past 15-plus years.

The Post will focus more on Black next week as part of National Volunteer Week.

During a short business meeting, the foundation also welcomed three new trustees — Nancy Stanback, Dylan Ellerbee and J.J. Summerell.

Also reappointed to three-year terms were Nancy Clement, Cheryl Correll, Richard Reamer, Susan Sides and Mary Walker.

In a treasurer’s update, Steve Cobb reported that the financial condition of HSF as sound. The organization has $3.7 million in assets, reflected mostly in properties such as Historic Salisbury Station and the Hall House museum.

Hobson said the foundation’s mission to preserve, protect and revitalize the historic fabric of Salisbury has not wavered. Here are a few highlights of her annual report:

• The roof at Salisbury Station was repaired and retiled.

• Venue Services was brought in as an events manager for Historic Salisbury Station “to allow us to focus on our core mission,” Hobson said.

• With the help of volunteers, the Rowan County Register of Deeds Office and local college interns, the foundation is expanding its archives.

• State archaeologists in conjunction with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro conducted a dig in the past year that could be crucial in developing a Salisbury Confederate Prison site. “We think we found the entrance to the prison on a lot we own,” Hobson said.

In the long term, she said, an interpretation of the Confederate Prison site could become a important tourist stop in Rowan County.

• A rewiring of the 1820 Hall House is about 75 percent complete. “The wiring was too historic for our comfort,” Hobson said.

• Landmarks create a sense of place, Hobson said, “and we take our responsibility in guarding them seriously.” The foundation’s advocacy was crucial to staying the demolition of a former pink granite service station at East Innes and South Lee streets, Hobson said.

The building was dismantled and it will eventually be put back together about three blocks away.

• The foundation also stepped in to save a house at 128 W. Thomas St. It bought the house two days before a demolition deadline. “We are not afraid of difficult properties,” Hobson said. Dylan and Taylor Ellerbee purchased the house and have started restoration.

•  With assistance from the Robertson Family Foundation and Salisbury Community Foundation, HSF and Livingstone College are working in tandem on six college-connected houses. As of now, work is beginning on the third house.

“We are pioneers in the West End,” Hobson said. “… Our partnership with Livingstone is working.”

• Earlier this month, Blanche Sherrill sold to Livingstone the Price House, home of the college’s first president, J.C. Price. Sherrill gave part of her sale proceeds to the foundation.

• HSF also has been focused on the North Main Street Historic District, which is an important gateway into the city. Hobson said the foundation is actively seeking additional properties to preserve in this area through its revolving fund.

• One of those North Main Street properties is the F.N. McCubbins house, where Black’s Brigade is working now. Hobson predicted the fire-damaged house should be back on the market by the end of the year.

The Grand Waiting Room of Salisbury Station has a new speaker system, which worked well in one of its first tests Thursday night.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.