E.A. Nichols Jr.-Publisher
James M. Archer-Editor
Glenn Marston-Managing Editor
Emmett Peter Jr.-Contributing Editor
Mote-Morris House
TIME is Short, but there is still hope for historic home
It's amazing how far a little communication and cooperation will go. Just ask Morrison United Methodist officials and a group of preservationists trying to save an historic house on church property. It now appears the Leesburg home,the Mote-Morris House, can be moved a short distance without a loss of government preservation grants and without removal from the National Historic Register. The home was built by one of Leesburg's first mayors, E.H. Mote, in 1892 and was later used as a residence for a church bishop. State historic preservation officials have termed the house as "an important....and significant building.
" Church officials purchased the home last year, intending to use the site as a parking lot. Since then, Morrison officials have tried to find someone who would buy the home and move it off the church property. Preservationists, however, resisted the effort to relocate the house. They and Leesburg city officials feared that moving the structure would remove it from the Historic Register and thereby rule out the chance for grant money to renovate it.
Now, however, state officials report that moving the house to either a vacant lot across from its current Main Street location or to another nearby site apparently won't jeopardize state grants. The major obstacle now is a state deadline-September 15 for applying for the grants. Church and city officials and preservationists need to get moving. They should work together under these guildlines:
" Church officials purchased the home last year, intending to use the site as a parking lot. Since then, Morrison officials have tried to find someone who would buy the home and move it off the church property. Preservationists, however, resisted the effort to relocate the house. They and Leesburg city officials feared that moving the structure would remove it from the Historic Register and thereby rule out the chance for grant money to renovate it.
Now, however, state officials report that moving the house to either a vacant lot across from its current Main Street location or to another nearby site apparently won't jeopardize state grants. The major obstacle now is a state deadline-September 15 for applying for the grants. Church and city officials and preservationists need to get moving. They should work together under these guildlines:
- While some private groups may be able to assist in the purchase of a new site, city officials who were among the harshest of the church critics- should foot much of the bill for relocation. The church shouldn't fund a dime.
- Church officials should stick by their repeated claims of a willingness to wait for a solution. True, they already have shown admirable patience, but the cause is worth a little longer wait.
- As far as the actual revonation, city officials,at least in a coordinating sense, will have to take the lead. They should explore ways of getting the entire community involved, particularly the younger citizens. Students could be used for everything from actual renovation work to researching and recording the home's past. School and community clubs should be asked to assist in the fund-raisers.
- City officials should also hold public hearings to discuss the eventual use of the renovated home. Such uses could include a museum or public meeting place.Where once there was acrimony, finger-pointing and picketing, there is now communication and some fledgling trust. Just pray that it isn't too late.
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