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By Scott Kuykendall
Mr. David Park
Chairman, Norwalk Historical Commission
Norwalk, Connecticut
Dear Mr. Park:
I am writing to comment on the Historical Commission’s review of the future of the Rogers-Rich-Merritt House, currently in storage awaiting final determination as to the outcome of the project.
While I am not privy to knowing exactly what the details of this project’s history have been, I do know that it was begun with worthy intentions and that its completion, should the committee decide to move forward in that direction, would prove that the Commission is dedicated to not only maintaining Norwalk’s historical legacy but enhancing and promoting it as well. In addition, the Historical Commission would likely gain much-deserved credibility and stature in the eyes of the public if it undertook the completion of this project.
I am also aware that since the RRM House project was placed in limbo, it has been plagued with rumors and innuendo, partly due to adverse press opinionating and also by its political detractors. I urge the HC committee to focus on the facts of the matter before determining the feasibility of its re-construction. I also urge the committee to engage the expertise of an architectural historian and include that person as a member of the committee before moving forward to insure that the final decision, regardless of the outcome, is one that is properly informed and not subject to criticism.
With respect to the alleged cost of the reconstruction, the million-dollar price tag that has been affixed to the project by the consultant which estimated what the project would need to be finished has also been detrimental to the generation of any popular good will to this effort. I believe that private parties, if approached, would be willing to donate funds, expertise and services to defray the cost of reconstruction. This has already been proved by the donation of $10,000 from the Norwalk Kiwanis Club, among others comprising the private funds in the capital account. As well, the project already received a Technical Assistance Grant for the Engineering Master Plan from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. Now that the Mayor has a full-time Grants Coordinator as a staff member, something that did not exist when the project was started, the efforts of this person could prove to be invaluable in procuring more state and federal funding.
Lastly, not only does the Mill Hill Historical Complex represent Norwalk?s history in ways that other historical attractions in the City don?t, but also those aspects of early American history that help us to grasp what life was like for our forebears. Generations of colonists, Norwalk citizens and American patriots lie at final rest in the Mill Hill Burying Ground. The Town House is testimony to hundreds of years of the practice of popular democracy by citizens in local government. The Fitch Law Office, once occupied by an early Governor of the Colony of Connecticut - accountable to the King of England, and predating the American Revolution - represents one of the few structures to survive the burning of Norwalk by British troops in 1779. And the Down Town School House, the walls of which since 1820 saw untold numbers of children who during the formative years of the American experiment in democracy had few options for education other than to practice their reading and writing within its humble walls. Who can speculate what that formative experience led to for any of those students, who may have gone on to become prominent citizens and leaders of their society?
The Mill Hill Historical Park must be considered in the context of the committee’s deliberations. Within its boundaries are represented elements of local government - the Town House - and executive goverment - the Fitch Law Office. There are the people who created this community at rest in the Burying Ground. And the School House, one more aspect of a varied community in early America. But what?s missing? An example of domestic life in early Norwalk. An example of Norwalk?s very important maritime history - a sea captain’s residence. In addition, the house represents an aspect of Norwalk?s commerce which was instrumental in the success of Norwalk as a vibrant, bustling sea port filled with oystermen and fishing schooners. This alone could be a very attractive stimulus in gaining private sponsorship from local businesses to help complete the project.
The addition of the Rogers-Rich-Merritt House to the Mill Hill complex would be invaluable to help educate visitors as to what life was like for 18th-century Americans. Reading about history in a book can be informative, but experiencing it in person can be educative and something that impacts a person?s character and development for the rest of their life. Every year, hundreds of Norwalk third-grade students tour the Mill Hill complex by attending the Norwalk Historical Society’s Little Red School House Program, where they are exposed, for the only time in their school curriculum, to a first-hand account of Colonial life. How were early Norwalkers schooled? Governed? Fed? Kept from the harsh elements of nature? How did they entertain themselves?
The opportunity to add yet another layer to the rich fabric of history that the Mill Hill Historical Park weaves for its visitors is within the capability of the Historical Commission?s committee in its deliberations to preserve this important aspect of Norwalk?s past. Whether the structure predates the American Revolution or survived the burning of Norwalk by the British is a question that may remain in doubt. But what is not in doubt is the potential that this structure holds to enhance and strengthen our understanding of those who have gone before us, and thus to understand ourselves and our society better.
I urge the Historical Commission to not abandon this worthy project by capitulating to the opinions of those who claim the cost is not worth the expense. Considering the value that we place on education, the price of completing this project would be well worth the effort and time, and the investment in our children’s education cannot be figured in dollars. The payoff is the esteem of the community, the strengthening of our school curriculum, and a renewed sense of Norwalk?s historical legacy. You have a opportunity before you to leave a lasting impression by your actions. Please do the right thing and complete the Rogers-Rich-Merritt House project.
Sincerely,
Scott Kuykendall
President, Norwalk Historical Society
