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We at Preservation North Carolina were dismayed by the recent
demolition of the historic Winslow Cottage in the Nags Head Cottage Row
National Register Historic District (North Carolina news, Oct. 9).
These sea-worn cottages, called the Unpainted Aristocracy, are
entwined with the romance of the Outer Banks. They are structures of
unpretentious elegance, throwbacks to a simpler time. These cottages,
some more than a century old, are a cultural legacy for the families
who have passed them down through generations and for all the citizens
of our state.
If we want to be able to share that legacy with future generations,
then we must take steps to preserve the last remaining cottages now.
When a demolition like this is pending, concerned residents are
usually disappointed to learn that there is little they can do to
prevent property owners from demolishing their own historic buildings.
A building within a National Register district is not protected from
demolition.
A local historic district, a separate designation, provides some
protection in the form of a demolition delay and design review over
alterations. There have been several unsuccessful attempts to establish
a local district in Nags Head.
Perhaps this loss will inspire the community to take steps toward preserving its vanishing heritage.
Until then, it is up to individual historic property owners to
protect their personal legacies. Preservation easements offer a way to
protect structures like Winslow Cottage. These can be established
through Preservation NC (www.PreservationNC.org.) and many other nonprofit organizations.
Claudia Deviney
[PNC Northeast Regional Director]
Edenton, N.C.
Response to Owner Plans to Tear Down 1929 Nags Head Cottage
After renovation plans fail to qualify for tax credit approval, owner intends to replace historic cottage with new 4,990 square-foot house.
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot (10/9/2008)
Read full story . . .
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