From Preservation Online, the online magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

www.preservationonline.org

Dear Preservation 911,

Metuchen, N.J., is a town with a rich history and some wonderful architectural treasures. However, we are losing more and more of the older buildings to developers to want to maximize the number of houses they can fit into a lot.

We are about to lose one of our most historic houses: a c. 1745 house that served as a stagecoach stop in the 18th century and has been home to some of the town's most prominent citizens. The most recent owner rented out the house while living in a stately 1920s house next door.

When the owner was no longer able to live unassisted, he moved and sold the properties to a developer who is considering only saving the 1920s house and is determined to demolish the stagecoach house.

Because my husband and I live in a c. 1740 house on the other side of town that nearly became a parking lot for the phone company, a local historian told us about the building's plight. We have tried to do what we can—not very much—but the neighbors of this house have valiantly fought to save it. They have tried proposing an ordinance that would protect historic properties and tried to work with the developer. Since this area of town is very upscale, they have made more headway than fights that have taken place in other areas of town. Still, I am sure the house will come down.

Until our local government joins the citizens' efforts to preserve our historic buildings, we will continue to lose. But the mayor and council are vehemently anti-preservation—they plead "property-owners' rights" and economic hardship for those constrained by ordinances. Ka-phloeey, I say!

So my "911" is about this house, but even more about our municipality. I am a property owner with rights, too, and I don't want my property DE-valued by what they are allowing to happen. Okay, my cares originate elsewhere, but they should count for something, too.

Sincerely,

Tyreen A. Reuter
Metuchen, N.J.

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The National Trust's regional and field offices bring the programs and tools of the Trust to communities across the country. They offer technical assistance through consultations and field visits and financial help through small grants. They hold educational programs for professional preservationists and work to foster policies that help historic places. They also provide leadership on issues that concern entire regions, such as saving historic schools, fighting sprawl, and revitalizing cities.

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