HomeMy WebLinkAboutRe: site inspection for historic status T
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11�IINiV'ESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY C/Ty pFo�O �
Mr. Jim White �Yp
Orono City Council
2750 Kelley Parkway
Orono, Minnesota 55356
Dear Councilman White:
RE: July 24, 2003, Site Inspection, Orono, Minnesota
We want to thank you, Mike Gaffron and his colleagues for taking time out of your busy
day to show us the Orono properties. Considering the orientation of the residences to
the lake, the only efficient way to view them is via the water.
After we returned to the office we talked about what we saw, in particular the tiny
building located at 3532 Ivy Place. The fact that it is so small suggests that it was used
for a playhouse with storage below for summer produce or play equipment. Had the
original residence remained, the playhouse would have more meaning, helping to evoke
, the family's summer recreational activities. Without the main house, the playhouse is
out of context and unable to convey this aspect of living on the lake. It is our opinion
that the playhouse is not eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic
Places.
Of course, as we discussed during our morning visit, age is not the only aspect of a
property's history taken into account when its significance is evaluated. StafF also look
to determine if a property retains its historic physical integrity, looks to see if it
represents a particular architectural style, or is associated with significant events or
people. For the properties in Orono that may have started as seasonal residences and
later evolved into permanent homes, the need to remodel for year-round use could
have resulted in substantive alterations to the houses. If they were not remodeled, but
used by a prominent family (which during the early decades of the 20�' century it was
usually the husband/father who was recognized), it needs to be determined which
residence—the summer house or the family's "city" house best repre�ents the
significant accomplishments made in business, or politics, etc.
There will be properties in Orono that retain integrity and that represent summer
lakeshore living. However, an intensive level historic survey is necessary to identify
them. And in order to interest the property owners in this activity, it is important that
the City of Orono consider taking this important step by establishing a Heritage
Preservation Commission and taking the additional step of getting the Commission
Certified that will give the commission the opportunity to apply for federal funds to
conduct historic site surveys.
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Such a survey wilt provide the historical documentation to allow the Preservation
Commission to advocate for city designation of local historic properties and will give the
city the opportunity to work with the property owner to preserve the property under a
formal process established by the city.
The adage that that preservation starts at the local level is indeed true. Because so
many historic properties are privately owned, it is critical that the owner and the local
unit of government become preservation partners. This ofFice welcomes the
opportunity to work with the city as it considers establishing a Heritage Preservation
Commission. Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have further questions. We
can be reached at the address below. Susan Roth's phone number and e-mail address
is: 651/296-5434, susan.rothCa�mnhs.org Michael Koop's phone number and e-mail
address is: 651/296-5451, michael.koopCc�mnhs.org
Sincerely,
,
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Susan Roth Michael Koop
National Register Historian Historic Preservation Program�Specialist
cc: Michael Gaffron, Planning Director, City of Orono, 2750 Kelley Parkway,
Orono, MN 55356