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