Thanks to a grant obtained by the Historic Columbia Foundation, six of the capital city’s historic neighborhoods will have their histories told and compiled, which should help protect them from developers who think slapping a new McMansion on Lee or King is a good idea.
Historic Columbia will use the money to compile the histories of Cottontown, Lower Waverly, Old Shandon, Arsenal Hill, Hollywood-Rose Hill and Heathwood, said Robin Waites, the foundation’s executive director.
Researchers will collect oral histories, old photographs, historical items, stories and other information about the founding and community life of the neighborhoods, she said.
The foundation then will produce a self-guided tour brochure, interactive Web maps, exhibits in community centers and other methods to educate those interested.
Protecting and educating people about Columbia’s historic areas is one of the foremost things we can be doing in the city to keep it beautiful and attract people to the area. For instance, about 20 years ago efforts got underway in Richmond, Va. to rehab historic central city neighborhoods like The Fan and Church Hill. It’s worked – property values are going through the roof because people want to live there. Those people, in turn, attract businesses to cater to them (sure is nice to walk to a restaurant, shop or grocery store instead of driving 15 minutes).
Historic preservation is a very important aspect in moving Columbia forward, and it’s nice to see this work being done.
Foundation to catalogue histories of six local neighborhoods [The State]
Vierdsonian Democracy 
Comments for John