THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603300085
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
SHORTLY AFTER it was founded 30 years ago, The Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society published a brochure listing 32 historic sites in the downtown area.
Included was a description of each, a photograph of most, and a map. For those who were up to it (for it took in a lot of area, from Cedar Hill Cemetery almost to Washington Avenue), the brochure made an excellent resource for a self-guided walking tour.
Although never updated, copies of the brochure are still available. Now, however, it also makes a different point.
``We use them with club programs to show what's gone and what's endangered,'' explained Sue Woodward, of the Historical Society.
Of the original 32 sites, which included churches, homes, monuments, and government and commercial buildings, six are no longer standing. One has been moved. Many of those that still exist are boarded up; several are in disrepair.
``So many good houses have been torn down,'' said Woodward. ``Most are now parking lots. The Gay House, No. 27 in the brochure, was bought by the city back in the '70s. It disappeared suddenly; it's now a vacant lot beside Birdsong Recreation Center. There is a plaque there; this whole neighborhood is on the National Historic Register.''
Recently, my wife, Peg, and I set out to see what is left. Armed with a camera and good walking shoes, and using the car to cover the greater distances, we found almost all of the remaining sites.
It took several hours but the experience was well worth it. Thanks to the descriptions in the brochure, we came away with a greater understanding of the past and a real sense of Suffolk's history.
We learned that the apartment building at 318 North Main Street, just south of the Main Street Train Station, was originally a church: the second of three built by Main Street Methodist, now located at 202 North Main. Both the first and second sanctuaries, noted the brochure, were used as hospitals for Federal troops during the Civil War. We were reminded that time marches on; the brochure identified the structure as the Rawls Apartments but a sign out front reads Main Street Apartments.
Likewise, the Kilby Law Office, 347 North Main, built in 1859, has had a diverse past. One of the first brick office buildings built in Suffolk after 1837, it was used as a repository for valuables and records during the Civil War. About 1936, it was converted into a home. In 1943, it became American Legion Post No. 57.
The Historical Society still uses the brochure.
``We do programs for clubs other than our own,'' said Woodward. ``We've used it before with school groups in the past. We use them when we go to someone's home to present a program.''
Should you obtain a copy and take the tour, be aware that No. 1, the Clerk's Office, is no longer standing. Neither is No. 4, the house at 422 North Main. Likewise, No. 16, the home at 250 North Main; No. 17, a home at 240 North Main; No. 24, a home at 229 North Main; and No. 26, the Richard Seth Eley Home, are no longer there.
No. 6, Constantia House, has been purchased by Robert Baker and moved from Cedar Hill Cemetery to the back of his funeral home. The DAR couldn't maintain it on its original site, according to Woodward, because of vandals.
Are there any plans to update the brochure?
``We've talked about it periodically but don't have any immediate plans,'' said Woodward. ``We're so busy trying to preserve the old homes we don't really have the time to do it. But I think there's a real need for a brochure that's available for people who want to take the tour.
``There are some buildings we'd include if we did it now,'' said Woodward, ``that weren't originally on it. We've used it and used it; we probably should update it. But we're working so hard right now. We're taking a more active role than we ever had before.''
The Society has just purchased the Main Street Train Station and is actively trying to find and help buyers interested in owning and restoring old properties. A couple, noted Woodward, is trying to buy a house on the list that is owned by a church. Two couples just completed an agreement to buy No. 5, hoping to find someone to restore it; they want to save the house. Two men - business partners - have bought No. 9, the Old Post Office.
Still, one can only hope that - sometime - an updated brochure will be published. I'd like to see what would be added. And I'd also hope they'd tuck away a good supply of the original brochures, to take a look at once in awhile, to see what can be lost in 30 years, even with active and ongoing preservation efforts. MEMO: Do you have an idea for Discover? Call Dawson Mills at 489-9547. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by DAWSON MILLS
The Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society has purchased the Main
Street Train Station.
Riddick's Folly, at 510 N. Main St., is listed in the historical
society brochure.
While touring downtown, don't miss Suffolk Christian Church at 216
N. Main St.
by CNB