
As the curtain is drawn on the series of events to mark the end of “National Preservation Month,” we get a curtain call to witness an important part of our local preservation history. No, it’s not theater or drama or special effects or reenactments. It’s reality programming. After years of neglect and its contribution to blight in this neighborhood, we are finally closing the chapter on 1306 W. Maple. On Wednesday, May 26, the walls came tumbling down. History is all about understanding our past and learning from our mistakes in order to move forward in a positive direction. This was the point of Dr. Jon Taylor’s book, “Competing Histories.” But have we really learned from our past mistakes? I’ve always wondered what it would be like growing up as a young child on a block like this where homes are treated in this manner. You would think one would grow up with a distorted perspective on community stewardship. I believe the best thing our community leaders can do is put themselves in the shoes of individuals and families who live adjacent to institutional properties. It’s obvious the land adjacent to this property is being cleared for a purpose. Hopefully, the eventual purpose of this neighborhood block will be greater than its most recent negative influences on the neighborhood. From local history, we have learned that this has not always been the case. And as for the 100-year old home at 1306 W. Maple, “It’s History.”