Category: History

Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

Randy Greeves, a recently appointed Historic Preservation Officer for the Unified Government, was the speaker at the annual meeting of the Wyandotte County Historical Society Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Wyandotte County Museum. About 40 persons attended.

Greeves explained that the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 sets federal policy for the preservation of our heritage. The law allows federal, state and local governments to operate and cooperate in historic preservation efforts.

Greeves told about the Downtown Historic Commercial District and downtown and nearby historic churches. The boundaries of the commercial district are Sixth Street on the East, Tenth Street on the West, Nebraska Avenue on the North and Tauromee Avenue on the South.

Greeves also told of the standards used in determining historic standards. It must have physical integrity, determine who was there, how skilled was the workmanship and what were the surroundings like.

Greeves said various state and federal grants and tax credits are available to rehabilitate historic structures.

Society President Bill Hutton presented the annual awards for the society. They included Roger Guess and Dean Bridge, The Garland M. Smith Award; Mary Lew, Volunteer of the Year; the Baric Brothers musical group, the Margaret Landis Award for Regional Historical Preservation; St. John’s Catholic Club, the V.J. Lane-Organizational Recognition Award; and Special President’s Awards, Margaret Long and Murrel Bland.

The society elected three trustees to serve three-year terms. They are George Groneman, Elnora Jefferson and Brett Lovett.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of the Wyandotte West. He is a member of the historical society and Business West.