Hamilton Historic Main Street Celebrates Service, Progress & the Year Ahead
Hamilton Historic Main Street Celebrates Board Service and Looks Ahead to 2026–27
Downtown Hamilton continues to grow stronger because people in our community are willing to step forward, share ideas, volunteer their time, and help shape what comes next.
As Hamilton Historic Main Street begins a new program year, we are proud to recognize the members who have served on the Main Street Advisory Board and to introduce the board that will help guide the work ahead.
This year, we extend a heartfelt thank you to Mary Owen and Elizabeth “Liz” Graves as they complete their service on the Hamilton Historic Main Street Advisory Board.
Mary has served on the Board since 2021 and most recently served as Board President, while Liz has served since 2023. Their service has helped support Main Street events, downtown partnerships, revitalization efforts, and the ongoing work to preserve what makes Hamilton special while creating new opportunities for the future.
This past year also marked an important milestone for Hamilton Historic Main Street. Our program raised the bar from Affiliate status to Accredited Main Street America status — recognition of the stronger systems, partnerships, planning, volunteer engagement, and revitalization work taking place in Downtown Hamilton.
That progress reflects the work of many people over time: board members, staff, volunteers, downtown businesses, property owners, community partners, and residents who continue to believe in the importance of a strong and vibrant downtown.
Strong downtowns are not built through one project or one successful event. They are built through steady leadership, collaboration, creativity, resilience, and a willingness to keep moving forward.
We are grateful to Mary and Liz for being part of that progress and for investing their time and talents in Historic Downtown Hamilton.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the 2026–27 program year, Hamilton Historic Main Street welcomes a board that brings together community members with different experiences, perspectives, and connections to Hamilton.
The 2026–27 Hamilton Historic Main Street Advisory Board includes:
Kristi Collett — President
Kathleen Anglin — Vice President
Courtney Amaro — Secretary
Alicia Saldaña-Stephens — Board Member
Joshua Anderson — Board Member
Debbie Sanford — Board Member
Pepper Jones — Board Member
Emery McElroy — Youth Board Member
Our Youth Board Member provides an important youth perspective and gives the next generation an opportunity to take part in conversations about Downtown Hamilton, community events, local identity, and the future of our community.
Together, the Board, Youth Board Member, and Main Street staff will continue working with downtown businesses, property owners, volunteers, community organizations, and local partners to strengthen the heart of Hamilton.
That work includes preserving our historic character, supporting local businesses, creating welcoming public spaces, bringing people downtown, celebrating Hamilton's story, and finding new ways to keep our downtown active, resilient, and connected.
Achieving Accredited Main Street America status was an important step forward, but it is not the finish line. It gives us a stronger foundation to build from as we continue raising expectations for what Downtown Hamilton can be.
Hamilton Historic Main Street believes a strong downtown is built by a community that recognizes the value of what it has, believes in what it can become, and is willing to work together to get there.
It also means making room for the next generation to have a voice in that future.
We are thankful for every past and present board member who has helped carry that vision forward, and we look forward to another year of building on Hamilton's strengths while creating new opportunities for the future.
Thank you to those who have served, welcome to those stepping forward, and here's to another year of investing in the heart of Hamilton.
