A CALL FOR PRESERVATION

To the editor:

I read with interest Ms. McCalley's letter of September 19 regarding NHA's historic markers. The Nantucket Preservation Trust began its own house marker program only five years ago, and today has well over 100 markers in town alone. The NPT sign, an elliptical-fan, painted Nantucket grey, denotes the original owner or builder, date of construction, and often the occupation of the original inhabitant. Besides recognition of a historic property, the sign is meant to educate the passerby and reinforce that Nantucket retains a remarkable collection of historic American architecture.

We have found that the marker program can often lead to inquiries and participation in other preservation programs as well, including calls to obtain in-depth historic house research, information on proper preservation maintenance and repairs, and preservation easements. In fact, many owners who have markers have participated in NPT's house "interview" program, a free service where we walk through a building with the owner to determine its evolution, point out historic fabric and answer questions regarding future work.

Continued education is an important part of the process to save Nantucket's rich architectural past. We hope that it will eventually lead the stewards of historic houses to consider preservation easements, the only real way to fully protect these significant structures. Preservation easements last forever and can protect both exterior and interior features while allowing for sensitive updates, including modern conveniences such as air conditioning, wiring, and new baths and kitchens.

Of the 2,400 contributing buildings on Nantucket, fewer than 20 are fully protected by easements. This '"new" preservation tool will undoubtedly become more widely used in time as those who truly appreciate historic structures realize it is the only way to ensure protection of these resources for generations to come. In the meantime, we hope our marker program can reinforce the need to protect historic Nantucket and lead many to consider other preservation programs.

Sincerely,

- Michael May NPT Executive Director