Article published November 13, 2001
Save Vogt House
It is deplorable that there’s so little regard for history that few are bothered by a plan to raze or move a 166-year-old house that was home to prominent families and believed to have sheltered fugitive slaves. It’s a shock that Sylvania’s St. Joseph’s Parish considered razing the Vogt House. The idea of moving the house is just as appalling.
Enlightened communities now try to save buildings and to use them for other purposes, so it’s astonishing that the church wanted to clear the property in the 5300 block of North Main Street and build new buildings to service various age groups. However, the church said it couldn’t find "viable alternatives." That’s surprising, because new uses are found for old buildings all the time .
Sylvania City Council passed a resolution favoring preservation. That action is not binding, but it was the least council could do. After all, Sylvania is a city steeped in northwest Ohio history, and the Vogt House - home to the Vogts and other noted families and for decades considered a northwest Ohio underground railroad stop - is an important part of it.
It’s futile to argue that there is no evidence to prove that the house absolutely was a slave refuge. It was against the law to shelter slaves; to have kept a record would have been out of the question. That’s why oral tradition is so important.
It’s not even an alternative to move the house. That’s no compromise. It is strongly believed that slaves hid in the basement of the Vogt House. Therefore, moving the house would destroy the intent to preserve history. Part of that oral tradition is that slaves escaped to Ten Mile Creek after they left the Vogt House.
There really are ways to combine the old with the new. It’s done all the time. A way can be found to save, and use, the Vogt House exactly where it is. St. Joseph’s parishioners must just be willing to look for it.
Permanent Link
Save Vogt House
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20011113&Category=OPINION02&ArtNo=111130036&Ref=AR
STORY:2002111130036
|
|
 |
|
Search
advertisement
