Plainfield High School - Milestone Yearbook (Plainfield, NJ)

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SENIOR ORACLE BOARD—TENNIS TEAM

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14 THE ORACLE with an old place seldom have any sentimental feelings for it. If any business proposition looms up they are quick to alter and willing to tear down. Within the past year, nearly a whole block of Watchung Avenue’s old buildings has been torn down. All of these circumstances have greatly decreased our num- ber of colonial houses. In view of the fact that many of the old mansions have disappeared, it is necessary to preserve, as much as we possibly can, those that remain. They add to the attractiveness of our town. ‘They give Plainfield an air of conser- vatism which strangers like. We must preserve them. | How can this be done? There are several ways. Plainfield might main- tain several of these buildings since they contribute so much to her beauty and historical air. If even one-tenth of one per cent. of the taxes were used for this purpose several historic houses could easily be preserved and kept in repair. Historical societies could manage the places and tend to all necessary business. | Another “life-preserver” might be a cheap but attractive “History of Plainfield.”’ If such a book were sold here, great enthusiasm for historic places would be kindled. People would be influenced to use their personal influence to preserve colonial relics from decay and would prevent the inroads of business. They would feel ashamed to destroy buildings of public interest and value. Does it seem improbable that appeals to the owners of decaying old houses would have any effect en them? I believe that) much good could be done along this line. If a recognized committee should send out appeals, surely there would be some good results, however few. Many people do not realize how their properties are running down. — The thing we need in beautifying Plainfield is a little more love for the historic and less for the almighty dollar; a desire to be open minded conserva- tives rather than headlong progressives who value nothing but the new. What- ever other communities may do, I feel that it is our duty to endeavor to preserve a few dignified yet beautiful remnants of Plainfield’s colonial buildings.

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