Just as much as attending the Lunenburg Town Council meeting that allowed the public to have their say about the demolition of 164 Cumberland Street, the followup letters to the editor have been interesting, albeit some stridently divisive. The two most recent ones, written by not only valued friends of mine, but accomplished professionals with far greater intelligence than mine; yet, I feel it imperative that I and others feel free to openly debate, disagree, consider and listen to opinions that challenge us. As an "outsider" who shops and sends guests to businesses in both towns I love, I was insulted during the soccer field debate in Mahone Bay to be told that my views would not be heard at a "public" meeting in that town.

 Most of us care about heritage in Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, otherwise we probably wouldn't choose to live in this part of the South Shore. With almost every fire occurring in an old wooden building, it often guarantees that these wonderful structures, from grand to modest, slowly disappear along with the history observed within. And you can guarantee that for every one of these we lose, there are 10 if not 100, of the new, factory-built structures coming on a flatbed trailer down the road in this direction. It is too convenient to consider just one part of Cumberland in the area of 164, a "back lane" when just a short distance down the street is the main entrance to the Boscawen Inn; an historic house (built by the Morash family) is just to the east of this building and right across are several homes fronting on the street and facing the two "out" buildings mentioned. It is an easy mistake to also lump all buildings not currently used as homes as worthless "out" buildings, including the privy, workshop, well-designed and built business structure and hastily built flimsy, ugly utility shed, all into the same category.

 I think some people in Lunenburg are missing two subtle but important points: 1. The UNESCO designation Lunenburg would hope to keep and steadfastly preserve includes not only historic homes, but that (almost intangible) fascinating sawtoothed pattern of higgledy-piggledy modest buildings that also comprised life before the perfectly neat, militarily straight rows of suburban subdivision boxes. That irregularity of structures, like old Quebec City (another UNESCO heritage site), separates itself from the predictable grid pattern of Toronto and New York City. This particular edifice housed people, religious and fraternal meetings along with several retail businesses. It witnessed lives being lived, tales of sorrow and joy being shared with neighbours, townsfolk spending some time with each other and slowly becoming part, even modestly, of Lunenburg's colourful history. This is a living, breathing history that is just as much a part of Lunenburg's important fabric as the "grand" homes standing proudly on the streetscape.

 Because this building was allowed to deteriorate (as several other important homes presently are) is no fault of its own, nor of the current owners who bought it fairly recently. But we are all caretakers of our town's historic structures, modest to grand, homely to beautiful. We should not buy a property unless we are dedicated to preserving any and all old structures (pre-1940 as defined) located thereon. To repair and restore this building is no more Disney-like nor fake, than building Bluenose II to preserve the history, not to mention the shipbuilding trades that continue and get handed down generation to generation. And who today would be prepared to see the Bluenose sail away never to return; no more to teach young people how things were done and lives lived yesterday, or to present one less reason for strangers from around the world, to visit Lunenburg?

 164 Cumberland today may not be "architecturally stunning," but could be taken back (like the handsome, former cobbler shop around the corner) with original windows reproduced, ugly shed dormers removed and interior structural systems twinned or rebuilt. Lunenburg has a duty to see this happens on the site where it has lived (not "rotted") and if not possible, then secondarily to move and rebuild it to give it continued life within the town.

 2. Lunenburgers, like folks from every town, outport or city the world over, should be comfortable debating and disagreeing with one another without grudges, name-calling or belittling the next fellow. This was supposed to be a season (hopefully extended) of goodwill toward one another, toward compassion and understanding, not intolerance directed at others who have different views or inconveniently get in our way. This debate should be healthy, thoughtful and never, ever personal. Ideas help us to grow, layering ideas point us to solutions we may never have even dreamed before, rising not just to, but beyond any challenge. History should have taught us all of that, unless we choose to turn our backs on its lessons and values.

 Paul Kellogg
 Lunenburg

posted on 01/26/10