LETTERS
A WEEKLY ADVENTURE I left Lincolnland for Lincoln three years ago. Every two weeks or so, I visit your site for a dose of the capital city. Today I reviewed the Chris Britt cartoons going back to August. The cartoon regarding the citizen council, with the woman who was granted the appointment even though she had an aggressive dog that she was unable and unwilling to contain, was a riot (“SCCA Board member,” by Chris Britt, Aug. 6). Britt is a treasure. The letters complaining about his cartoons are sometimes as entertaining as the cartoons themselves – and only validate the serious journalistic work he is doing. You are fortunate to have Britt as part of your crew.
Your publication continues as a solid contribution. There is nothing like IT here. This town is a different sort of wasteland, but I had done my homework and knew what to expect. I liked your piece about the Donner Party, which articulates the concept of the tradeoffs and illusions we encounter when we plan and make a move. Moves bring some surprises we cannot anticipate, otherwise known as “adventures.” The weekly treat of your web publication gives me an adventure of sorts. Thanks. Kathryn Kucera Lincoln, Nebraska
SAVING OLD SPRINGFIELD Thank you for the fine feature on the historic John Taylor House (“Restoration begins on historic Taylor House,” by Erika Holst, Oct. 16).
One person particularly pleased by the potential of a worthy future for the John Taylor House is Jerry Jacobson, my husband. None of this recent effort would have been possible without Jerry’s preceding 12-year effort in labor, frustration and the spending of over $50,000 in personal funds. Although Jerry’s dedication was key to the preservation of this structure, his role in saving the largest un-restored Lincoln-era building in Springfield was overlooked in the IT article.
In 1982, Jerry learned that the decaying building was about to be demolished. Friends and family advised him that the building was beyond saving, but he disregarded their advice and waded into a legal quagmire to acquire the property, costly in time and money. Then, to fend off city inspectors threatening demolition, he personally supervised and paid for work to address the most serious of dozens of building violations.
Making tireless efforts to interest others in helping to save the structure, he directed a marketing campaign that included media features and tours of the house for numerous potential buyers or lessees among nonprofit organizations. He brought the building to the attention of the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, who named the house to the list of the most threatened historic buildings in the state.
Finally, a few months ago, it became clear that personal resources were insufficient to fund full restoration of the house. With Sue Massie acting as enthusiastic consultant, Jerry realized that the only way to possibly save the Taylor House was to donate it, along with an additional $25,000, to The Springfield Project. These gifts were essential to the present restoration plan.
The John Taylor House would have been demolished long ago were it not for Jerry Jacobson. His nonprofit, Save Old Springfield, has been so instrumental in leading preservation efforts in this historic city for over 30 years, that the Springfield Historic Sites Commission honored him as the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement award for historic preservation. Jerry is looking forward to the full restoration of the John Taylor House, a piece of Springfield’s history which he worked so long to save. Doranne Jacobson Springfi eld
