In November the State Historic Review Commission approved the nomination of the Parkville National Historic District.  Within the preservation community of Hartford this is greeted with great enthusiasm.

For the property owners – covering roughly 50% of the Parkville neighborhood –  establishing an historic district represents several things.  To begin with the property owners recognize the significant history of this largely manufacturing area of Hartford.  It cherishes the origins and impact which manufacturing had on the growth of the City.  In fact the Parkville Metropolitan Development Plan which was created in 1999 spoke to a desire to preserve the character of Parkville from which it grew.

Second the historic district designation represents a tool by which property owners and residents can protect their neighborhoods from unwanted or inappropriate development.  The Hartford Historic Commission will now hear petitions for variances to the historic fabric of the community.  Owners will have an opportunity to use a public forum to voice opposition to development deemed unwanted.

Third and final the historic designation now creates the possibility of utilizing State Historic Tax Credits, a unique and powerful financial tool for property owners who wish to make renovations to their properties whether interior or exterior.  The Preservation Alliance will shortly offer training sessions on how to consider these tax credits.

And finally to the numbers:

6 =  National Historic Landmarks
Coltsville Industrial District
Henry Barnard House
Old State House
State Capitol Building
Harriet Beecher Stowe House
Mark Twain House

4,872 = Properties located on Local, State and/or National Historic Registers

52= Local, State and National Districts

450 = Properties in nominated Parkville Historic District

1 = National Park

Barney Building

Ken Gosselin’s recent Hartford Courant article on the real estate activities of Hartford Hospital (Park At Hartford Hospital To Showcase Elements of Demolished Buildings) brings a sharp focus to an important debate of historic preservation versus the needs of a corporate/community partner.  The controversy surrounds the Hospital’s desire to demolish three historic buildings along Jefferson Street.  Two of the three buildings are designated to be in an historic district.  A discussion regarding condition of the buildings can be never ending and largely dependent on the engineer hired to opine on soundness.  The Hospital is in need of expanding facilities to compete as a major urban hospital, one which serves the Hartford community well and is a major employer. To be sure we want no significant historic properties demolished.

138 Jefferson

After meeting with the Hospital team on the merits of replacing these two former residences with a contextual clinic to expand community services seem okay.  This does not represent a blank check to level an entire district for the Hospital’s purpose.  As stated the Hospital is aware and sensitive to the historic fabric in which it is located.  In part and based on its statement that Hartford Hospital wishes to be an engaged community citizen a decision to move forward was a pragmatic one.  Two caveats were made part of the discussion: 1. That deconstruction be considered rather than demolition and 2. That HPA be consulted with any further plans to fiddle with any other properties on the Hospital’s campus.  In the case of the Barney Building, not designated as an historic structure, many and varied additions had been made to the building over the decades.  Yes, we are sorry to learn that the core building is to be eliminated to make way for growth however reuse of iconic elements is planned.

In sum our mission at HPA to “Revitalize, Connect, Collaborate” will take on many meanings as we engage in practical methods of historic preservation in Hartford.  A most important guiding principle is that historic preservation must contribute to community economic vitality.  This requires us to weigh realities and make reasonable decisions.  Yet, and most important, is our ability to make historic preservation understood as a means to community development and not simply an end.  Too often we lose the preservation argument as we are cast as people who say no.

Photo credit: Alex Cypher special to CTNow

On prior occasions I have written about the inventive prowess of Anne Cubberly so I awaited my first experience of “Nightfall” with great anticipation.  I was not disappointed! As darkness descended a packed audience in Colt Park was treated to giant monkeys seeking to capture an elusive banana, frogs, long stemmed flowers, dancers, singers, a Latin rapper who lead us in a chant about Hartford, a parade of well-known buildings and rhythmic music to keep us in constant motion.  Sam and Elizabeth Colt dropped by to give us the history and description of their backyard of 170 acres.  What was once and still remains a public park for all to enjoy created to benefit citizens who worked hard in creating Colt Firearms one of the biggest manufacturing complex in the world.  All work and no play was not a maxim for Sam.  So play we did on Saturday night with dance, song and a panoply of visual effects.  It amazes me to watch the signature Cubberly puppets enchant with articulated movement wearing expressions only to realize that the magic happens through people who bring them to life.  All came to a grand finale when an enormous illuminated goddess appeared bidding us all to be well and come again next year.  She was then joined by a totally clever parade of lanterns created from cast off plastic bottles and jugs.  Simply a magical evening of fun, entertainment and enchantment to which we are all invited, Hartford Has It!

I want to make a challenge to all who attended and populated the hill overlooking the park.  Please make a commitment to bring at least one person who does not live in Hartford to witness an evening of fun and creativity.  We, the Cubberly acolytes and steadfast Hartford cheerleaders, need to bring along folks who have little access to such wonder because they do not live with the diversity and excitement we find in urban living.

photo courtesy of iQuilt

My blog title refers to one of the posts on the wall, at EnvisionFest, asking “My vision for Hartford is….”.  An all-day event to celebrate what is terrific about this city in which we live; EnvisionFest is one of the signature programs of The iQuilt Plan whose objective is to create a walkable city taking advantage of the historic and cultural vibrancy of Hartford.  And so it did on a fine Saturday as any people from the Hartford Region ambled about downtown to engage in such wide ranging activities as going to the top of the Travelers Tower or to chat with” Morgan Bulkley” on the steps of City Hall or take a walking tour with HPA’s intrepid tour guide, Mary Falvey!  Food was most evident as was the beer provided by Hooker Brewery, one could even find gluten free, vegan delights….  Do not fail to understand that Hartford was founded by a Hooker, Thomas that is.  Bushnell Park was thriving with booths including our very own Hartford Prints where one could write a love letter to the City and have it mailed.  On my way to the Old State House I paused to talk with the poor woman whose husband had died in the 1700’s, she lost the family farm and was accused of being a witch.  She was the first to be hung in New England.  What one can learn from talking with people on the street, no?  The Hartford HodgePodge, an outdoor “marketplace for ideas” located on State House Square was alive with people.  This is to be its home for Saturdays during the fall (through Oct 18) as a weekend destination for many who want to witness a thriving downtown.  At the Old State House we saw a collection of historic bikes and picked up a card which led to an historic scavenger hunt.  All this witnessed in my first two hours of the day which then carried on into the night.

Jackie Mandyck and her committee are to be congratulated for the vision to establish this event and to coordinate all the moving parts which made the day such a success.  Indeed we who live and love this city want more chalky space to write the future for Hartford.  Please feel free to post on this blog or on Facebook what your ideas, thoughts and wishes for the City might gain a voice.  I for one hope to sample more of the wonderful beer from Hooker……..