One Block East

PrudentPreservation makes a great point. It needs to be noted that the 300-400 block of North Pleasant Street is “One Block East” of the Truman Home and within view of the Truman Home National Historic Site. There is a hint (or stench) of hypocrisy to charge off to clean up blight in the “12 Blocks West” while contributing to blight in one block east. It also needs to be mentioned, again, that this block of Pleasant Street has been a part of the M/TRC Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Locals obviously have varying opinions about the state of neighborhood. Have you wondered what folks outside our community think? In May of 2008, the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation (state-wide not-for-profit group based in Columbia MO) listed the Truman National Historic Landmark District on its “Top 10 Most Endangered Historic Places” in the state because of conditions on Pleasant Street and because “institutional property owners in the area have been moving out.” In the 1990’s, we were high on the list of endangered landmarks for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In the 1980’s, it was the US Department of the Interior. Have situations really improved in the last three decades? The Truman Library Institute’s fund-raiser, “Wild about Harry”, is next week and it attracts support from all across the country. It would be great for the local community to demonstrate that they are also “Wild about Harry” by supporting the preservation of his neighborhood and the historic setting his home. The Truman Neighborhood is essentially a living history district with the emphasis on “living.” It is important to have living/breathing human beings and families occupying the surrounding properties. And it is important to take advantage of the resources and tools available at the federal level to accomplish this goal. So what are we waiting for?