Advocating for the National Register of Historic Places

It is a hard lesson to learn that you can’t win every argument (though I’m about 1 for 2), you can’t talk yourself out of every driving ticket (I’m 1 for 3), and you can’t even get your 3-year-old to climb into the car when it’s time to go (I’m about 1 for 15).  I talked to a person at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) recently and found myself 0 for 1. 

I contacted the office to find out about the possibilities of registering the house on the National Register of Historic Places. 

“If it is to be registered as an architecturally significant house or one that housed a person of historic import, it needs to have very few changes.  Have there been façade changes or any other significant changes to its original design?”  The SHPO Officer asked.

“Well,” I said, “we do have only one original casement window and one transom on the property out of about 90 casement windows, transoms, and fixed pane windows, but we do have 10 of the 21 original rustic-style doors (none of the 8 sets of french doors however).  Previous owners along the way have also added a good many other doors, but surely four sliding doors on a house don’t make much of a difference in the façade, right?  And then the three original porches have been enclosed, but at least my parents replaced the aluminum windows with a nice almond-colored vinyl when they owned the house.” 

“Hmmm,” said the SHPO Officer, “that is quite a few changes.” 

“But,” I argued, “the changes in themselves are historically significant.  This house was lost to the architectural world for 90 years and, in that time, it was abandoned and passers-through availed themselves of the fixtures, windows, and doors.  The fact that this 6,000 square foot house has only one original window, ten original doors (only two of which are properly hung), and only one original fixture – the chandelier in the great room – is a significant part of this house’s history.” 

“What about the vinyl windows?” 

“Well, you see, my father put in those windows in the 1990s.  He’s a famous person – were you aware that he ran for the Delano City Council in the 1970s?  And let me make it clear that he did not remove any original windows and I do believe that he thought that the vinyl windows were better for the environment since they would help reduce our heating cost.  Considering his environmental platform in the City Council election – ‘Powerplant, stick it in LA’ – the act of putting in the vinyl windows was just an extension of his active political life.” 

“Hmmm, that’s a very interesting argument.  And the enclosed porches?” 

“Have I mentioned that my dad changed the windows in the porches from aluminum to vinyl?  It really made a big difference in the look of the house – a definite improvement over enclosing them with aluminum.” 

“But they are still closed, right?” 

“Oh yes, well that relates to my husband Sander, who sleeps ten months out of the year with a winter hat on anyway, and cannot be convinced to open the porches.  ‘Brrrr,’ he says.  Have you heard of my husband?  He’s an Eagle Scout and famous in a lot of circles too.  No, he has never run for City Council, but I believe he was an officer in the Forensics Club in high school.  And me?  Who do I think I am?  Well, there was my term as student council president in high school, but that pales next to my work as Leader of the Kabuki Chorus in the 4^th grade....  Hello?” 

Comments

[John]

My wife and I had several conversations like this with the Arkansas Department of Heritage. Apparently, moving a 115 year old house to save it from demolition disturbs (destroys?) the buildings historical significance. Oh well, their loss, not mine.

[Amanda Rose]

Hey John, just explain to them that when the house was moved, it followed the migration patterns of a local bird or, better yet, a trail forged by an early explorer. You should have no problem.

[Greg]

I guess this is good prep for me. I've done all the paper work and just need pictures. My house had asbestos siding, which I removed, and had an addition, which I removed, and was cut up in to apartments, which I restored, and had some gingerbread ripped off, which I restored, but it's never had vinyl windows. That's something, right?

[Deb Miller]

I feel for you, but I can see the other side as well. I got 'schooled' in historic preservation and in the ins and outs of getting a NR nomination approved. Moving a house, btw, doesn't automatically make a building inelgible, just harder to get accepted to the NR. Most SHPOs will help you with your nomination or at least make suggestions on how you could proceed. The house you are attempting to nominate might be architecturally significant if few examples of buildings by that architect still exist. It makes your argument stronger, regardless of the changes.

Tough call. Good luck! Perhaps when you get the interior done you could argue on its merits rather than the facade?