Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutInven Dewey Rd 18Dear Members of the Historical Commission; Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your work of saving places of historical value in our town. I'll be brief (Ha!) and to the point assuming that your sense of history and aesthetic value is similar to mine and not like that of the National Park Service which was fixated on 1776 and destroyed much from other periods. Of course everyone wants to improve their properties, and such activities are an essential part of the process which is history. But I won't pontificate about something you must know more about than I. On the first page of your letter there is a list of information you have provided; item 3 of which promises an Inventory Form for your property. But it is not that, not for my property nor anyone else's; it is simply a brief survey and history of the area. While it might be better if it were more complete and accurate, that is, if it mentioned every property and its category. Yet I'm not certain what the utility of that would be, and it is very good for what it is, a kind of introduction to the area. The town certainly has detailed descriptions of every property, but I don't know what sort of history they keep. My number, 18, is not mentioned, not even as one of the few which has had no changes: except for the addition of a rubber roof. I may be wrong but I can't believe that there is an original tar and gravel roof still in existence. That's a simple example of the inevitable change we call progress. However, I find myself being very conservative and opposing progress in any way that would alter the look of the Compton and Pierce design. For example, I wouldn't change the windows as has been done with number 17; that seems more of a desecration than their addition of the garage. Actually, all the owners have been sensitive to the look of the neighborhood and have had garages and carports designed in keeping with the design of the houses. Oh, one other little thing: the historical narrative needs to be dated: it itself is a part of history. For example, the statement about the number of original homeowners cannot be correct when so many people are moving to retirement communities. And more houses will move into the category of having additions, carports and garages. Well, I haven't said anything of value; except that, I would like to be useful to you. So, thank you for your good work. If I have any bright ideas I'll certainly let you know. Cheers, Neal