Historic preservation is dear to my heart. I’ve always loved old homes—the gorgeous craftsmanship, soaring ceilings, detailed plasterwork and richly-carved moldings make me weak-kneed. Time after time, historic structures prove that old adage to be true: “They don’t make them like they used to.”
In my novel, Aunt Tootie tells CeeCee, “We have become a throwaway society. Instead of honoring and preserving our past, we tear it down, shove it aside, and just go on our merry way. Well, I won’t have it. We have to stand firm for what we believe in. Only in the most dire circumstances should a structure of historical significance be demolished.”
I wholeheartedly agree. So much so that in 1998 I purchased a wonderful historic home—a beautifully proportioned Queen Anne that was built in 1902 by banking mogul and Northern Kentucky Gilded Age citizen, Charles Megerle. Made of ashlar-cut sandstone and brick, and accented by stringcourses that form continuous sills and lintels, the home is built like a fortress, yet it’s quietly elegant and always welcoming. The instant I stepped into the foyer, I knew I was going to be the new caretaker. Sometimes I think the home chose me as much as I chose her. I named her Mamie and had her rehabbed top to bottom. It was an honor and a privilege to do so.
There are so many ways to help protect historically significant homes, and other than purchasing one of these fabulous gems for your own enjoyment, you can lend much-needed support to organizations that work tirelessly to make certain the homes, and the neighborhoods in which they stand, are preserved. Through advocacy, education, and community involvement, we can protect and preserve these magnificent structures.
Take a moment and check out the many foundations that are dedicated to such a worthy cause. By searching the web, you’ll find at least one for your state of residence.