Page News & Courier

Heritage and Heraldry

That which is important to preserve and why


Article of June 29, 2000

Recently, I drove by the site of Page's own White House and my heart literally dropped. To have served as such an historic icon for so many generations, the once proud little meetinghouse shows significant wear and undoubtedly could be listed in the highest of risk categories. Having been built in the earliest days of the settlement of the Shenandoah Valley, this building has seen an amazing transformation in both the culture and technology that has developed as well as that which has passed through the Valley. Yet, in its quiet and serene location, it remains as a tranquil reminder of a more simple time. Not that life wasn't difficult to Valley settlers in the earliest existence of the White House; rather, the complexity of problems faced on a daily basis has changed dramatically.

Certainly, I applaud the efforts made to restore the train station in downtown Luray, but regretfully, our oldest structures in the Page Valley remain in harms' way. Some have just recently been lost in the past 10 years. When I say structures, I not only mean physical buildings, but documents, artifacts, and even cemeteries. Lets take Green Hill Cemetery for example – please take the opportunity to finger through Harry M. Strickler's "A Short History of Page County" (even more, take s stroll through the index of names) and then take a walk through Green Hill. First, please brace yourself for the site that will lie before you. While Luray is not the only town in Page County nor does it have hold on being the absolute final resting place of all of its historic characters throughout history, with its government seated in that town, one can literally say when walking through the cemetery "here lies Page County."

What I am trying to get across is the point that strides must be taken now to preserve critical places that relate to the unique history of Page County. Surely, we neither have the time or money to secure everything for posterity. At the very least, why not start with those structures that are crucial to the understanding of the history of the Valley and then to those in the worst of conditions, yet showing great potential for preservation?

Without action, what remains for us to pass on to our children? If we take no action now, what remains for them tomorrow? Then too, there are some that may say the new and next generations don't and won't care. I can think of several people who did not care a bit for history and then something changed in their philosophies later in life.

Sometime this week or very soon (please don't wait too long), take a drive to the marker looking toward the White House, gaze upon it and try to think of its earliest days. You may choose another structure of your choice (but remember not all of those in Page's "Old Homes" book remain today). Just make sure that the image before you remains emblazoned on your memory, for the true question remains – "will it be there for your children or grandchildren to see in 15, 10, or even 5 years or will it be reduced to that memory?" What can we do as those that watch OUR history deteriorate? What can you do as the owners? The answer may not be as difficult as you think.

Return to the Page News & Courier sponsored directory for Heritage & Heraldry articles.