Letter to the Editor: Candidates Differ on Future for McKee House

I was greatly disturbed to read the comment in the October 16 issue of the Daily Herald Focus Section from Mr. Robert Flesvig who is running for a seat on the DuPage County Forest Preserve Commission.  

Mr. Flesvig stated that he wouldn't support any district cash to restore the historic McKee house on St. Charles Road in Churchill Woods.  As a long-standing supporter and participant in historic preservation, I'm unable to understand why people who serve on the DuPage Forest Preserve Commission can't comprehend that preservation of historic buildings is just as important as preservation of our woodlands.  

While it's heartbreaking to see a majestic, 200 year-old oak tree come down or lose out on an outstanding piece of potential forest preserve property, it's equally heartbreaking to see a historic or architecturally significant home torn down.  Both are irreplaceable!

Saving the McKee house offers an outstanding opportunity for the people of DuPage County to have a centrally located, historic and architecturally important home for use of its citizenry.  

The building offers unlimited potential for multiple uses, perhaps as a satellite teaching facility for Morton Arboretum, a place for preservation workshops such as those currently being held at the Campbell Center in Mr. Carroll, Illinois, as well as a wonderful gathering place for local meetings and celebrations.

Perhaps if Mr. Flesvig were to read an outstanding booklet on Heritage Tourism published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, he would have a better grasp of the importance of preservation.  

The National Trust surveyed people throughout the country, asking them what's the most meaningful thing that you like to do when you travel?  The majority of those polled answered, we like to visit historic buildings, historic museums, and historic communities.  

Just imagine the incredible help heritage tourism would provide for our many small-town business districts that are currently hurting due to the economic downturn!

Lee Marks
Glen Ellyn