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Public Forum
Historic homes need to be saved
In August, I spoke to (Tina Carpenter) the director of operations of Ashland County Historical Society. She told me “no one cares” about restoring the A.N. Myers home.
I think she is wrong. I believe it is the management of the socity that doesn’t care. I feel they have begun to run the organization like a business and are forgetting about the history. The society has a responsibility to the community to preserve and protect our history, including artifacts and homes. The board of trustees and the director of operations of the Ashland County Historical Soceity state research had been done on eligibility for grants to restore the A.N. Myers home. When I asked how many grant applications where completed and sent in, the society staff replied A.N. Myers was too insignificant for the building to receive any grants. I researched grants and know for a fact the Ashland County Historical Society qualies for numerous grants. I have the letters and applications from foundations and organizations to prove my point. Don’t be fooled; grant money is available. The society ignored the National Trust for Historic Preservation when a letter offering assistance was sent to them.
According to the Ashland County Auditor’s records on line, the A.N. Myers home was graded a “B Good” for structure, before the assault and pillage by the society in the last year. The grading of “B Good” is better than approximately 20 historic buildings on Center Street. I bought my own house knowing it was graded a “C” and I have not hesitated in restoring the property.
My former will stated if my family didn’t want items of an historic nature in my estate, the objects, which technically could have included my home in the Center Street Historic District, were to be put into a collection and donated to a museum or historical society. My current will no longer states this proviso.
While the society spouts that they would be fiscally irresponsible by restoring the A.N. Myers home, I want the community to know the society is being fiscally irresponsible with their future. I no longer will pay for a membership or make any monetary contributions to their organization now or after my death. I would encourage others interested in estate planning and preservation of historic homes to consider speaking with the National Trust for Historic Preservation or Preservation Ohio. Historic homes need to be saved, not demolished!
Kyle O. von Kamp
Ashland
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