Evening star., 1933-10-21

1910 solely for the purpose Of preserv-
ing memorials of our ancestors and
mas been responsible for the preserva-
ton Of more than fifty buildings In
various parts Of New England.
Then there Is the Society for the
Preservation Of Virginia Antiquities and
the Philadelphia and Baltimore Land
marks Societies. But aside from these
societies Of private individuals, there
Is probably no community that has
taken such definite steps to preserve
the rare value Of its early architecture
as the city Of Charleston, 8. c. Charles
ton has even passed q coming law pro-
hibiting the erection of any inappro-
PIRATE structure within the areas where
the fine historic houses are located.
Not so long ago an unpretentious
bakers shop became the focal point
Of interest to the residents Of Charles
ton. What shock 1t was to learn
that the loaves of bread were being
baked IN the very rooms thai could
boast Of the most beautiful interior
woodwork in the city; that customers
who came to buy cakes, walked through
fine old archways to paneled rooms
bordered with cornices Of Chippendale
fretwork.
'The baker shop was none other than
the town home Of Thomas Hayward. jr.,
one Of the four South Carolina signers
Of the Declaration of Independence
Work of restoration was done under
the most careful architectural direc-
ton, and the place is today as it was
when Judge Hayward occupied 1t and
where George Washington. in the
course Of his Sou hern tour as Presi-
dent. spent a week.
There is the Harrell home in Aus
tin, Tex. the favorite haunt of O.
Henry, who visited the Harrells often,
frequently sitting In old Mrs. Harrell's
room. where he read or wrote while
she did her fency work. Afte-Uard, he
said that those hours in her work room
were some Of the happiest in his life.
Frederick Drug Shop.
Then there Is the story Of the
Mercer Drug Shop in Frederick. Md.
Although the shop has no particular
architectural value, 1t certainly revealed
a phase Of living conditions in the Rev.
olutionary period to its preservers not
SO long ago.
stood vacant, presenting sore sight to
people In Frederick who were anxious
to beautify the city. So the shop was
doomed to the wrecking crew. But be-
fore the ak had been swung, the Fred
erick citizens had recalled two names
in connection with the dilapidated
store, the second oldest drug shop In
the United States.
Gen. Hugh Mercer. one Of the
heroes of the Revolution and beloved
for miles around. had been proprietor
Of the shop. And one Of his best
friends, Gen. George Washington, had
visited him frequently. In fact. he
even rented o space in the shop for his
ONCE. The residents of Frederick
called OF the wrecking crew and re-
stored the shop as memorial to the
famous men.
"The United States Government is
at last beginning to realize the value
of its old landmarks. A few months
ago, a Government reforestation camp
was established on the site Of one OF
the oldest homes in Alabama. The
house would have been torn down I'M
mediately had it not meant so much to
the Southerners. They made strenuous
efforts to save 1t, and as q result, a
fence was built around the place and
the officer in charge of the reforestation
camp was given orders that 1t should
be kept intact. The house was Kin
lock- built in 1927 by Maj. David
Hubbard.
"Old Fort Niagara at the mouth OF
the Niagara River at Lake ontario
lust recently completely restored, Is one
of the most fascinating and elaborate
preservation projects in which the Gov
eminent has assisted. More tnan
$500 900 was spent on the buildings
alone"