Construction delays and some local contractor disputes have produced an unfortunate long delay in
having the metal roof placed onto the Lundy this past winter to date.
Although work began on the roof in early Dec, by end of January, due to some differences between
the owner and the local contractor, the metal roof project ground to a halt.
Hopefully, soon, another roofer will take to completing the work begun in earnest in December.
The Project is set to be further improved come April/May and hopefully several items will be secured including the final completion of the roof and the masonry back walls will be either completed or greatly restored by the start of summer.
The Lundy Project is going to be gaining a new uniqus status soon also. Anyone interested in knowing more about this ongoing project to restore the areas ONLY national landmark antebellum era home /or structure, please do not hesitate to contact myself at 740 381 5935.
Any and all donations are being accepted also in furtherance of completely renovating this piece of American history that stands in time as a witness to America's greatest social struggle ever experienced with its direct ties to the start of American abolitionism and the recognition and awarness of the moral evils of slavery as well as its direct ties to Lundy's greatest contribution of all perhaps, to America, the choosing and mentoring of the young William Garrison and then thru Garrison, his own young disciple who would help change the course of American history altogether, Frederick Douglass.
These three men, probably more than any other abolitionists of their own era, impacted this country for change and social revolution and help lead the hearts and minds of the North into a era of anti slavery sentiment which led directly to the Civil War. It is with this tremendous legacy directly and physically in proximity to our efforts, that we are determined to see the restoration of the Lundy thru till its completion.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Lundy Roofing Project Begins
As of today Sunday December 4th the Lundy will never b quite the same. At least the same as it has been for the past fifty years or more. Why? Because the old three layered roof which had failed over a decade or more ago began to be removed and new support and sealing wrap is being wrapped around the new areas in preparation of obtaining a brand new metal roof.
This is the first major step forward on the actual structural renovation itself. The metal roof to be put n place is going to accelerate the entire home renovation by leaps and bounds. Multiple benefits will flow from getting this new woodwork completed along w the new roof including the most important of drying out the entire house and making it for the first time in over twenty five years very secure against the elements and will stop completely the severe water damage that has taken such a toll on the entire structure.
This quiet but major first step undertaken today represents a new milestone in the restoration of this amazing historical national landmark home.
Exciting times on this project lay just ahead...
This is the first major step forward on the actual structural renovation itself. The metal roof to be put n place is going to accelerate the entire home renovation by leaps and bounds. Multiple benefits will flow from getting this new woodwork completed along w the new roof including the most important of drying out the entire house and making it for the first time in over twenty five years very secure against the elements and will stop completely the severe water damage that has taken such a toll on the entire structure.
This quiet but major first step undertaken today represents a new milestone in the restoration of this amazing historical national landmark home.
Exciting times on this project lay just ahead...
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Lundy is under going some significant if not painstakingly slow repairs/stablization efforts at present.
I'm very excited that we have worked w/ a contractor from Marietta, Malone Preservationists to effectively stop the serious water leak/damage that has been the most serious issue with the house.
The house's back roof, along the ridge and two older sections of the wall/and lower ceiling original l section of the house, has a gaping hole apparently and within four hours of its discovery, it was sealed and roofing material was placed over the same; the very next day, a torrential downpour and serious storm tested the new roofing material and temporary patch. IT HELD!
Soon, thereafter, within hours, we also had a stablized back wall/ceiling area, set off by two two by sixes and several two by fours and various jacks. The ceiling timbers, six in number, that we re seriously failing and looking as though they could come down any day, along w/ the back wall area of this original L section of the Lundy, was instantly stabilized and the major hand hewn beams were once again, showing support towards the old roof and there was no question, they were lifted up over three inches.
This day's effort, combined to stop all serious leaking and water damage to the inside wall and beams and the old hand hewn beams themselves having been raised up at least three to five inches, were holding fine.
This rather brief but materially vital effort, literally changes the entire scope and initial phase of the project of saving and renovating the Lundy. It was done by one man in seven hours. I couldn't believe it. All summer long, i was so worried about this back area of the house and the serious amount of water and water damage that was literally eating away at the inside wall of the back interior portion of the original L shaped portion of the back bay area of the Lundy.
No doubt, this rather small but vital first step, is much larger in scope in consequence than what it looks like from the final work and temporary nature of the stabilizing materials and beams applied, after they were put into place. The contractor who did this, says he believes this will hold the Lundy thru the winter and ought to maintain the wall and the roof for over a year, if necessary.
Of course, I would like to envision a much quicker time frame for the real and final restoration to occur on this portion of the National Landmark home but for now, given the serious nature and the mortal threat this portion of the home was under, given the extensive rapid water flow and damage all of the combined failures were having this past year and half on the home, it is quantitatively and qualitify light years moved ahead into a position we can now begin to focus on the challenges at hand; those that deal with the interior and the other portions and the critical repairs that are needed all around on the interior.
This is a huge step in the right direction and i wish to thank Keith Malone for his fine solo dedicated effort, which in one day, made such a difference. I hope to have him back working on other significant portions of the renovation project soon.
I am committed to the overall project, although its taking time to get into position and to get the proper contractors both interested and then actually on site to do this kind of work. Its been already a lesson and study in patience. However, its worthwhile and i'm committed to seeing the project thru the final phases when oneday, the home is fully restored and can be opened to the public for both public uses and tours and/or used by the Midwest Center for Constitutional Rights as a Center's home and central location for its mutlitfaceted purposes.
This single day, coming after many many days and hours and weeks, if not a few long summer months, of not seeing much true progress, is especially heartening and truly personally encouraging and hopefully represents just the beginning of a whole phase of much more good news to come, on the Lundy restoration project
We welcome your input and your consideration. If you would like to know more about the Lundy and /or if you care to assist by way of making a donation, please do not hesitate to contact the Lundy project directly and/or you can reach me, Richard Olivito directly....we are very interested in persons, w/ experience in restoring old homes and in particualar those who know about masonry restoration, brick work on antebellum homes and also, inplacements of older structures heating and cooling systems as well as making such a house refitted for plumbing and related insulate issues as well as interior carpentry and painting of a historical home.
We always appreciate anyone also, who has a genuine interest in the history of american abolitioinism, and antislavery agitation, the black history of southeastern Ohio and the serious historical nature of the quaker involvment in anti slavery efforts, including the publication of newspapers and the work of assistaing slaves to freedom and the issue of making known the purpose of the Free Labor Store and the Free Soil movement
This is an important and ritical time and after this first significant stablization effort, we believe the house, is now in position to truly begin its journey towards full restoration and in a sense, complete its purpose which it was originally dedicated for....
I'm very excited that we have worked w/ a contractor from Marietta, Malone Preservationists to effectively stop the serious water leak/damage that has been the most serious issue with the house.
The house's back roof, along the ridge and two older sections of the wall/and lower ceiling original l section of the house, has a gaping hole apparently and within four hours of its discovery, it was sealed and roofing material was placed over the same; the very next day, a torrential downpour and serious storm tested the new roofing material and temporary patch. IT HELD!
Soon, thereafter, within hours, we also had a stablized back wall/ceiling area, set off by two two by sixes and several two by fours and various jacks. The ceiling timbers, six in number, that we re seriously failing and looking as though they could come down any day, along w/ the back wall area of this original L section of the Lundy, was instantly stabilized and the major hand hewn beams were once again, showing support towards the old roof and there was no question, they were lifted up over three inches.
This day's effort, combined to stop all serious leaking and water damage to the inside wall and beams and the old hand hewn beams themselves having been raised up at least three to five inches, were holding fine.
This rather brief but materially vital effort, literally changes the entire scope and initial phase of the project of saving and renovating the Lundy. It was done by one man in seven hours. I couldn't believe it. All summer long, i was so worried about this back area of the house and the serious amount of water and water damage that was literally eating away at the inside wall of the back interior portion of the original L shaped portion of the back bay area of the Lundy.
No doubt, this rather small but vital first step, is much larger in scope in consequence than what it looks like from the final work and temporary nature of the stabilizing materials and beams applied, after they were put into place. The contractor who did this, says he believes this will hold the Lundy thru the winter and ought to maintain the wall and the roof for over a year, if necessary.
Of course, I would like to envision a much quicker time frame for the real and final restoration to occur on this portion of the National Landmark home but for now, given the serious nature and the mortal threat this portion of the home was under, given the extensive rapid water flow and damage all of the combined failures were having this past year and half on the home, it is quantitatively and qualitify light years moved ahead into a position we can now begin to focus on the challenges at hand; those that deal with the interior and the other portions and the critical repairs that are needed all around on the interior.
This is a huge step in the right direction and i wish to thank Keith Malone for his fine solo dedicated effort, which in one day, made such a difference. I hope to have him back working on other significant portions of the renovation project soon.
I am committed to the overall project, although its taking time to get into position and to get the proper contractors both interested and then actually on site to do this kind of work. Its been already a lesson and study in patience. However, its worthwhile and i'm committed to seeing the project thru the final phases when oneday, the home is fully restored and can be opened to the public for both public uses and tours and/or used by the Midwest Center for Constitutional Rights as a Center's home and central location for its mutlitfaceted purposes.
This single day, coming after many many days and hours and weeks, if not a few long summer months, of not seeing much true progress, is especially heartening and truly personally encouraging and hopefully represents just the beginning of a whole phase of much more good news to come, on the Lundy restoration project
We welcome your input and your consideration. If you would like to know more about the Lundy and /or if you care to assist by way of making a donation, please do not hesitate to contact the Lundy project directly and/or you can reach me, Richard Olivito directly....we are very interested in persons, w/ experience in restoring old homes and in particualar those who know about masonry restoration, brick work on antebellum homes and also, inplacements of older structures heating and cooling systems as well as making such a house refitted for plumbing and related insulate issues as well as interior carpentry and painting of a historical home.
We always appreciate anyone also, who has a genuine interest in the history of american abolitioinism, and antislavery agitation, the black history of southeastern Ohio and the serious historical nature of the quaker involvment in anti slavery efforts, including the publication of newspapers and the work of assistaing slaves to freedom and the issue of making known the purpose of the Free Labor Store and the Free Soil movement
This is an important and ritical time and after this first significant stablization effort, we believe the house, is now in position to truly begin its journey towards full restoration and in a sense, complete its purpose which it was originally dedicated for....
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The Lundy Is Both A Mystery Unveiled, and a Community Restoration Project in the Making; Local Neighbors Personal Narratives Begin to Come Alive...Re The House
AS the process, the slow process of starting to get a foothold on what exactly to do, to start the restoration of the 200 old Abolitionist residence, and underground railroad site, I am discovering something new almost everyday, both about the history of the house, its utilization and own different lives its held and the power of the residence to the local residents own memory and testimony
of their lives and/or that of their former generations, including some 80 and 90 year old lifetime residents of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio who are still able to discuss and speak of their own recollections and understanding of the Lundy.
As such, the work being done, at this very early preparation stage, is starting to attract some attention n town and its creating an interest from observers and folks stopping by, to watch the slow but steady early stages begin to take shape, in relation to the Midwest Center taking the first steps towards restoring the old National Landmark home, to its original status.
And all such personal recollecctions and stories are important, and even perhaps, essiential to gaining a better understanding of the structure, how it came to be in its present form and what are some of the myteries it has kept secret for at least a generation or more.
With the Discovery last Friday, by myself and an out of town preservationist contractor, of the very large but well disguised closet floor trap door, where the home's fugitive slaves were hidden thru, probably for forty years, I began once again, to realize that his seriously damaged but proud structure, is no ordinary old home and no mere home renovation project.
And then, today, we had the more pragmatic structural discovery of a brick lined front lawn area patio, which is still in tact, made possible thru the direct commentary of a personal statement made this evening by a long time neighbor of the former old family prior ownership, the same area brick patio, which has been hidden for at least twentyfive years, was both dug up and found to be present pretty much totally in tact.
After being on site for the past 90 days, and walking over this area of the front lawn, it was amazing to realize that part of weeds and vines i've been walking over, actually were mere cover of a very well defined brick patio type of formation which was placed there a long time ago. Stunning to me, the very brick work despite years of weeds, grass, topsoild, roaddirt and vines, was still obvious and still very much in tact, once the debris was shoveled and swept.
This small but significant discovery directly resulting from a Mt. Pleasant's neighbor declarative statement about what they knew had been on site, years ago, helped encouraged me, this weekend, to keep on keeping on... Knowing there are more hidden secrets of the Lundy, ready to be disclosed and unveiled....in the not too distant future, it inspires one to keep digging, keep cleaning, to keep exploring and just patiently observing the Lundy as if she were an old old ship, waiting to give up its deeper hidden mysteries.
Its also, literally like digging up an archealogical site of both antebellun and early 20th American history and soon, that very well may be what will be requested and sought, officially by me ...for the site, itself.
After hearing from the various people stopping by, its clear, a very important part of Mt. Pleasant even on a very emotional level for some, has for too long, lay dormant and been allowed to fall into serious disrepair and neglect, threatening its very existence as this is written.
Its rather sad and is stunning that the town allowed this to happen to such an amazing residence but to a large degree, the people in town, seem to respect private ownership so, that they felt it wasn't their place to try to attempt a 'rescue'....from its former absentee private owner, despite its extreme historical relevance and purpose and witness to American history.
Today, I m very pleased, that local people in town, are both paying attention and starting to feel comfortable enough with an 'outsider' so they come up to speak and share their own stories about the home and what it means to them, to see it being bought by someone who cares enough to try to restore the same.
The town, hopefully feels that this new homeowner, is one that intends to not only rescue their otherwise, very unique national landmark honored residence, as best he can, from the ravages of time and serious elemental exposure its been thru, but also, to raise it up, along with the amazing historical but largely forgotten little antebellum village own landmark status, placing the same, back on the map, both in Ohio ...and for the entire world to see, God willing...
Its been a solid if not at times, pressing, complex and somewhat bumpy, if not, difficult road even to start this process, this summer.
Hopefully, however, the meaning and depth of the experience will only grow even more richer and deeper, as time goes by and as the project, begins to take true shape. The house immense structural repairs needed immediately, which will require lots of expertise to fix and even more money than the entire property is valued at currently, easily.
Yet, this weekend, the townspeople approaching me and sharing their encouragment with me, has mattered and has made a certain difference. I wish to say thanku to those of you who have been both willing to stop by and give some signs of hope and inspiration. And Thanku for sharing your own narratives about the home and what it meant in relationship to your living in Mt. Pleasant. and finally, i wish to extend a special thanku to Rev Smith and his family, for his lifetime of devotion to his faith, his community and now...to one very long haired, kind of wired, outsider,...who he finds as his latest "new neighbor"...in search of both the good shepard's extensive oral history [and a bucket of water], ....on his otherwise own very historical street and address .
As this project progresses, hopefully in a meanginful and timely manner, for the urgent status of the house's sake, itsef, I have a belief, that the town itself, will begin to feel a kind of revival or at least, a certain cartharis, of some measure...in that its own once former amazing honor and pride is being both truly assessed, significantly valued and assisted, and recognized and even hopefully, fully then restored...all done, in and thru this unique and critical sojourn in relation to the physical restoration project, of an urgent nature, of this nationally significant 200 yr old Lundy home
still standing, by some grace of heaven, on Union Street, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.
For me personally, it will be a true joy to not only see this residence restored but the town itself, much more secure and revived in its spirit, knowing that a critical component of its heritage has been preserved for posterity sakes,
I seek also for my own sense of understanding of Lundy and hope in some small way, help to preserve not only the home, but the huge yet mainly forgotten serious christian witness and genuine contribution Lundy personally made to the American human rights struggle which in turn, impacted all such struggles, worldwide, ever since, starting right from the living rooms of this old, special structure, filled today w/ the dust and decay and nelgected aspects of the last 100 years
....as we revive and restore it, the very history and legacy of Lundy himself...stands a genuine chance to be brushed off, taken out of the dusty grave of history, and placed in its proper perspective.
It is with this effort, we want to lift up the amazing solitary life of one man and honor his powerful witness and endless devotion to the cause of the oppressed, the poor and those in chains, all done, in a pioneering manner, starting right from the ancient forrests and hills of southeastern Ohio
....lighting a spark, under this nation, right from this southeastern Ohio River border town region....from within Mt. Pleasant and these surrounding rolling hills,
where once it literally, lead the nation in making genuine the Gospel's call to treat one neighbor with love and respect granting people, all people as much if not more than any other such village, their own God given dignity and human rights as promised in this nation's founding document for all persons;
in this manner, this sleepy, forgotten, mainly quiet village, located high up on the hills, six miles from the Ohio River, literally led his nation, fifty years before the civil war on race relations and as such, was easily, almost 150 yrs ahead of the rest of the nation, in how it both viewed, and advocated and then most importantly itself, allowed and lived their faith walk, in genuine concord with the freedman among them, and in doing so, they demonstrated, in a very rare manner, right beyond the Virginia's border, the true meaning of brotherly love between the wide varying white and black culture, being true to their religious practices and principles, every early on, in this nation...as much as any community ever did, or has, ever since.
All the power of the witness of the southeastern, Ohio antebellum era abolitionists, among which, Ben Lundy began publishing his Genius of Universal Emanicipation at this very site, at this very residence, would in time, literally help initiate and then lead this nation into and thru and beyond, its most fundamental primary internal constitutional crises, leading the nation into civil war and all that has followed since, in terms of the definition of what exactly is the measure of personal, political and social human freedom for all peoples, worldwide, from all who ever came to this nation's shores.
AS U2's Bono recently said, at his last concert in nearby Pittsburgh,
"America, you 're not just a nation formed on genetics, on culture on legacy.....you're much more than that....you're an idea..."
and we have this amazing call of history, and this amazing persons, and his very own early narrative which began right on this very site, to be dusted, off, rebuilt, revived and then added once again to not only the knowledge of the local region and Ohio's but rather, once and for all, to and for, all the nation's itself.
Its literally an honor and a proud work.....to be involved with and it is literally, something of a spiritual revival, showing once again...america is more than politics, more than discussions about debt and spending...and what present day political party is on top, or what celebrity is getting married to whom.
What america is essientially beyond the market place for all major corporations of the world, ...is that its the home....of the struggle of a political idea, that once begun here, was made to be corrected and "more perfect" as Lincoln himself noted, .....by a man named, Benjamin Lundy, who almost 200 years ago....lived here and raised his young family for several critical years...and while doing so, he wrote and published a paper, ....the Genuis of Universal Emancipation, which would inspire the power and nation and young would be president, to ....come to understand those very words and put them
into effect and reality.
what Lundy while writing late at night, from within this historical residence, the same, led to a human rights revolution
that has yet to be fully ....and completely finished....today...both here and around the world...
we need to honor this young apostle of freedom's pioneering christian Quaker effort and we need to take all immediate urgent care and steps, however we can, to both make sure, this house survives today and that its legacy is preserved for all the nation if not the world, to have and to learn from within...and to better understand, what happened here....made the difference to the entire nation
and to millions of people, forever and ever.
of their lives and/or that of their former generations, including some 80 and 90 year old lifetime residents of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio who are still able to discuss and speak of their own recollections and understanding of the Lundy.
As such, the work being done, at this very early preparation stage, is starting to attract some attention n town and its creating an interest from observers and folks stopping by, to watch the slow but steady early stages begin to take shape, in relation to the Midwest Center taking the first steps towards restoring the old National Landmark home, to its original status.
And all such personal recollecctions and stories are important, and even perhaps, essiential to gaining a better understanding of the structure, how it came to be in its present form and what are some of the myteries it has kept secret for at least a generation or more.
With the Discovery last Friday, by myself and an out of town preservationist contractor, of the very large but well disguised closet floor trap door, where the home's fugitive slaves were hidden thru, probably for forty years, I began once again, to realize that his seriously damaged but proud structure, is no ordinary old home and no mere home renovation project.
And then, today, we had the more pragmatic structural discovery of a brick lined front lawn area patio, which is still in tact, made possible thru the direct commentary of a personal statement made this evening by a long time neighbor of the former old family prior ownership, the same area brick patio, which has been hidden for at least twentyfive years, was both dug up and found to be present pretty much totally in tact.
After being on site for the past 90 days, and walking over this area of the front lawn, it was amazing to realize that part of weeds and vines i've been walking over, actually were mere cover of a very well defined brick patio type of formation which was placed there a long time ago. Stunning to me, the very brick work despite years of weeds, grass, topsoild, roaddirt and vines, was still obvious and still very much in tact, once the debris was shoveled and swept.
This small but significant discovery directly resulting from a Mt. Pleasant's neighbor declarative statement about what they knew had been on site, years ago, helped encouraged me, this weekend, to keep on keeping on... Knowing there are more hidden secrets of the Lundy, ready to be disclosed and unveiled....in the not too distant future, it inspires one to keep digging, keep cleaning, to keep exploring and just patiently observing the Lundy as if she were an old old ship, waiting to give up its deeper hidden mysteries.
Its also, literally like digging up an archealogical site of both antebellun and early 20th American history and soon, that very well may be what will be requested and sought, officially by me ...for the site, itself.
After hearing from the various people stopping by, its clear, a very important part of Mt. Pleasant even on a very emotional level for some, has for too long, lay dormant and been allowed to fall into serious disrepair and neglect, threatening its very existence as this is written.
Its rather sad and is stunning that the town allowed this to happen to such an amazing residence but to a large degree, the people in town, seem to respect private ownership so, that they felt it wasn't their place to try to attempt a 'rescue'....from its former absentee private owner, despite its extreme historical relevance and purpose and witness to American history.
Today, I m very pleased, that local people in town, are both paying attention and starting to feel comfortable enough with an 'outsider' so they come up to speak and share their own stories about the home and what it means to them, to see it being bought by someone who cares enough to try to restore the same.
The town, hopefully feels that this new homeowner, is one that intends to not only rescue their otherwise, very unique national landmark honored residence, as best he can, from the ravages of time and serious elemental exposure its been thru, but also, to raise it up, along with the amazing historical but largely forgotten little antebellum village own landmark status, placing the same, back on the map, both in Ohio ...and for the entire world to see, God willing...
Its been a solid if not at times, pressing, complex and somewhat bumpy, if not, difficult road even to start this process, this summer.
Hopefully, however, the meaning and depth of the experience will only grow even more richer and deeper, as time goes by and as the project, begins to take true shape. The house immense structural repairs needed immediately, which will require lots of expertise to fix and even more money than the entire property is valued at currently, easily.
Yet, this weekend, the townspeople approaching me and sharing their encouragment with me, has mattered and has made a certain difference. I wish to say thanku to those of you who have been both willing to stop by and give some signs of hope and inspiration. And Thanku for sharing your own narratives about the home and what it meant in relationship to your living in Mt. Pleasant. and finally, i wish to extend a special thanku to Rev Smith and his family, for his lifetime of devotion to his faith, his community and now...to one very long haired, kind of wired, outsider,...who he finds as his latest "new neighbor"...in search of both the good shepard's extensive oral history [and a bucket of water], ....on his otherwise own very historical street and address .
As this project progresses, hopefully in a meanginful and timely manner, for the urgent status of the house's sake, itsef, I have a belief, that the town itself, will begin to feel a kind of revival or at least, a certain cartharis, of some measure...in that its own once former amazing honor and pride is being both truly assessed, significantly valued and assisted, and recognized and even hopefully, fully then restored...all done, in and thru this unique and critical sojourn in relation to the physical restoration project, of an urgent nature, of this nationally significant 200 yr old Lundy home
still standing, by some grace of heaven, on Union Street, Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.
For me personally, it will be a true joy to not only see this residence restored but the town itself, much more secure and revived in its spirit, knowing that a critical component of its heritage has been preserved for posterity sakes,
I seek also for my own sense of understanding of Lundy and hope in some small way, help to preserve not only the home, but the huge yet mainly forgotten serious christian witness and genuine contribution Lundy personally made to the American human rights struggle which in turn, impacted all such struggles, worldwide, ever since, starting right from the living rooms of this old, special structure, filled today w/ the dust and decay and nelgected aspects of the last 100 years
....as we revive and restore it, the very history and legacy of Lundy himself...stands a genuine chance to be brushed off, taken out of the dusty grave of history, and placed in its proper perspective.
It is with this effort, we want to lift up the amazing solitary life of one man and honor his powerful witness and endless devotion to the cause of the oppressed, the poor and those in chains, all done, in a pioneering manner, starting right from the ancient forrests and hills of southeastern Ohio
....lighting a spark, under this nation, right from this southeastern Ohio River border town region....from within Mt. Pleasant and these surrounding rolling hills,
where once it literally, lead the nation in making genuine the Gospel's call to treat one neighbor with love and respect granting people, all people as much if not more than any other such village, their own God given dignity and human rights as promised in this nation's founding document for all persons;
in this manner, this sleepy, forgotten, mainly quiet village, located high up on the hills, six miles from the Ohio River, literally led his nation, fifty years before the civil war on race relations and as such, was easily, almost 150 yrs ahead of the rest of the nation, in how it both viewed, and advocated and then most importantly itself, allowed and lived their faith walk, in genuine concord with the freedman among them, and in doing so, they demonstrated, in a very rare manner, right beyond the Virginia's border, the true meaning of brotherly love between the wide varying white and black culture, being true to their religious practices and principles, every early on, in this nation...as much as any community ever did, or has, ever since.
All the power of the witness of the southeastern, Ohio antebellum era abolitionists, among which, Ben Lundy began publishing his Genius of Universal Emanicipation at this very site, at this very residence, would in time, literally help initiate and then lead this nation into and thru and beyond, its most fundamental primary internal constitutional crises, leading the nation into civil war and all that has followed since, in terms of the definition of what exactly is the measure of personal, political and social human freedom for all peoples, worldwide, from all who ever came to this nation's shores.
AS U2's Bono recently said, at his last concert in nearby Pittsburgh,
"America, you 're not just a nation formed on genetics, on culture on legacy.....you're much more than that....you're an idea..."
and we have this amazing call of history, and this amazing persons, and his very own early narrative which began right on this very site, to be dusted, off, rebuilt, revived and then added once again to not only the knowledge of the local region and Ohio's but rather, once and for all, to and for, all the nation's itself.
Its literally an honor and a proud work.....to be involved with and it is literally, something of a spiritual revival, showing once again...america is more than politics, more than discussions about debt and spending...and what present day political party is on top, or what celebrity is getting married to whom.
What america is essientially beyond the market place for all major corporations of the world, ...is that its the home....of the struggle of a political idea, that once begun here, was made to be corrected and "more perfect" as Lincoln himself noted, .....by a man named, Benjamin Lundy, who almost 200 years ago....lived here and raised his young family for several critical years...and while doing so, he wrote and published a paper, ....the Genuis of Universal Emancipation, which would inspire the power and nation and young would be president, to ....come to understand those very words and put them
into effect and reality.
what Lundy while writing late at night, from within this historical residence, the same, led to a human rights revolution
that has yet to be fully ....and completely finished....today...both here and around the world...
we need to honor this young apostle of freedom's pioneering christian Quaker effort and we need to take all immediate urgent care and steps, however we can, to both make sure, this house survives today and that its legacy is preserved for all the nation if not the world, to have and to learn from within...and to better understand, what happened here....made the difference to the entire nation
and to millions of people, forever and ever.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia Highlights and Notes Benjamin Lundy's Pioneering Efforts
The National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia in its section on the rise of anti slavery thought and publications, gives primary place and original publisher status, to both Ben Lundy and his Genius of Universal Emanciption published at Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.
Ben Lundy was among the earliest of abolitionist newspaper publishers in the early 19th century. His paper would become the pioneering vanguard Quaker based paper that would eventually kick off the 19th Century anti slavery movement in print, which would in turn both directly inspire and give rise to those second generation great papers that would follow, like William L Garrison's The Liberator, and Frederick Douglass's North Star and others...
The fact that such an esteemed National Center which has won many awards for its design and its archives and contribution to modern understanding of our nation's founding document and its historians give such public primary significance to the influence and pivotal role of Ben Lundy and his Genuis which their site clearly states was published in Mt.Pleasant, is yet another affirmation of the "national significance" of Lundy and his residence, which is located still today, in Mt.Pleasant.
We are presently in a race for time in trying to save this residence and amazing piece of american antebellum history and a virtual witness to the most important human rights campaign in U.S. history arguably.
The national center site can be found on line at http://constitutioncenter.org/
Ben Lundy was among the earliest of abolitionist newspaper publishers in the early 19th century. His paper would become the pioneering vanguard Quaker based paper that would eventually kick off the 19th Century anti slavery movement in print, which would in turn both directly inspire and give rise to those second generation great papers that would follow, like William L Garrison's The Liberator, and Frederick Douglass's North Star and others...
The fact that such an esteemed National Center which has won many awards for its design and its archives and contribution to modern understanding of our nation's founding document and its historians give such public primary significance to the influence and pivotal role of Ben Lundy and his Genuis which their site clearly states was published in Mt.Pleasant, is yet another affirmation of the "national significance" of Lundy and his residence, which is located still today, in Mt.Pleasant.
We are presently in a race for time in trying to save this residence and amazing piece of american antebellum history and a virtual witness to the most important human rights campaign in U.S. history arguably.
The national center site can be found on line at http://constitutioncenter.org/
Sunday, July 17, 2011
A Sense Urgency; The Lundy needs Emergency Repairs to its Walls and floors
Due to the years of absentee owner neglect and at best a lukewarm Ohio Historical Society interest in its preservation, over the past decade, the Benjamin Lundy home, located at 506 Union Street, Mt. Pleasant, is the ONLY national landmark in Southeastern Ohio and for its regional counties, which border the Ohio River.
Recently, a set of experts, including a foundation expert, an experienced structural engineer and a very experienced certified historical building roofer have stated, that the walls, roof and the floors are showing such signs of movement and new cracking all within the past six weeks, [mainly due to heavy spring storms that have poured thru the aging roof in certain areas] which has done serious damage to the home, that a clear emergency situation now exists
at the home.
The recent water damage is so severe, in some parts, that the cracks inside interior walls are growing at a rate of an inch every two weeks, in a manner that doesn't bode well for the present. New ones have appeared in the past month inside of the second floor front area that is showing particularly structural failure.
The Lundy is a 200 year old abolitionist and underground rail road residence which has survived the history of America, from its earliest antebellum era Quaker town orgins to the modern day era.
In 1974, the house was officially designated by the Dept of Interior as a house of "national significance" due to its three part role in the pre civil war anti slavery era, which was fueled by the Quaker stern anti slavery stance found in all of Mt. Pleasant, which itself, has been since designated as a entire town, a National Landmark itself.
The home is "weeks or a month or so, even one very bad storm " away from failure, as per one structural engineer who recently just visited the last remaining 'free labor' residence, the last such "free labor store" in continual existence in America as the large bronze historical marker placed on the front lawn of the home just in 2003, references.
"This home must be saved if we care anything about the origins of our nation's most important internal conflict ...the civil war and the struggle for human rights inside this nation in the 19th Century. Its a epic residence and it has no peer in Ohio and in particular in southeastern Ohio and it matches any any antebellum or civil rights location or structure in America in significance and importance" says, the Director of the Midwest Center, and recent buyer/owner Richard A. Olivito who is trying along w/ a few dedicated friends to save the residence.
"I appreciate the efforts that have been made by my small group of friends here in Jefferson County, in the past 60 days going forward and the fact that the OHS and even others have expressed renewed interest in saving the Lundy.
I know Congressman Bob Johnson's staff has expressed immediate regard for the home's renovation and this very very encouraging and also, given the Executive Director of the State of Ohio's NAACP Royal Mayo is a close associate and friend, I have certain hope that we can find the necessary interest among government and private foundations that will value this house for what it represents and what it has stood the last two centuries for inside our historic
region of Ohio. I of course, have also spoken to Representive Lou Gentile about the same and he's in agreement that something ought to be done to try to preserve the residence, where it can be found."
"I believe we can save it and i've been told it is capable of being saved, by very good experts, including our most recent addition to our team, Historical Preservationist Architect Steve Ardonov, of Wheeling, which is also very encouraging, but, its simply a race against time. The engineers and the contractors arent as optimistic in terms of the time line we have to save this house" Olivito says.
"I hope it just isn't too little too late, especially on the part of the Ohio Historical Society and those who were responsible for its condition, in the past decade. I don't have much regard for those in higher places, in the past, who allowed this amazing historical national significant site, the only one of its kind of at least five counties or more in southern Ohio, to fall into such disrepair. Nonetheless, it has such major potential however, if we can save it and help place Mt. Pleasant itself, on the map, so to speak, as a town of pivotal early american history. I'm determined to do just that where we can"
Recently, a set of experts, including a foundation expert, an experienced structural engineer and a very experienced certified historical building roofer have stated, that the walls, roof and the floors are showing such signs of movement and new cracking all within the past six weeks, [mainly due to heavy spring storms that have poured thru the aging roof in certain areas] which has done serious damage to the home, that a clear emergency situation now exists
at the home.
The recent water damage is so severe, in some parts, that the cracks inside interior walls are growing at a rate of an inch every two weeks, in a manner that doesn't bode well for the present. New ones have appeared in the past month inside of the second floor front area that is showing particularly structural failure.
The Lundy is a 200 year old abolitionist and underground rail road residence which has survived the history of America, from its earliest antebellum era Quaker town orgins to the modern day era.
In 1974, the house was officially designated by the Dept of Interior as a house of "national significance" due to its three part role in the pre civil war anti slavery era, which was fueled by the Quaker stern anti slavery stance found in all of Mt. Pleasant, which itself, has been since designated as a entire town, a National Landmark itself.
The home is "weeks or a month or so, even one very bad storm " away from failure, as per one structural engineer who recently just visited the last remaining 'free labor' residence, the last such "free labor store" in continual existence in America as the large bronze historical marker placed on the front lawn of the home just in 2003, references.
"This home must be saved if we care anything about the origins of our nation's most important internal conflict ...the civil war and the struggle for human rights inside this nation in the 19th Century. Its a epic residence and it has no peer in Ohio and in particular in southeastern Ohio and it matches any any antebellum or civil rights location or structure in America in significance and importance" says, the Director of the Midwest Center, and recent buyer/owner Richard A. Olivito who is trying along w/ a few dedicated friends to save the residence.
"I appreciate the efforts that have been made by my small group of friends here in Jefferson County, in the past 60 days going forward and the fact that the OHS and even others have expressed renewed interest in saving the Lundy.
I know Congressman Bob Johnson's staff has expressed immediate regard for the home's renovation and this very very encouraging and also, given the Executive Director of the State of Ohio's NAACP Royal Mayo is a close associate and friend, I have certain hope that we can find the necessary interest among government and private foundations that will value this house for what it represents and what it has stood the last two centuries for inside our historic
region of Ohio. I of course, have also spoken to Representive Lou Gentile about the same and he's in agreement that something ought to be done to try to preserve the residence, where it can be found."
"I believe we can save it and i've been told it is capable of being saved, by very good experts, including our most recent addition to our team, Historical Preservationist Architect Steve Ardonov, of Wheeling, which is also very encouraging, but, its simply a race against time. The engineers and the contractors arent as optimistic in terms of the time line we have to save this house" Olivito says.
"I hope it just isn't too little too late, especially on the part of the Ohio Historical Society and those who were responsible for its condition, in the past decade. I don't have much regard for those in higher places, in the past, who allowed this amazing historical national significant site, the only one of its kind of at least five counties or more in southern Ohio, to fall into such disrepair. Nonetheless, it has such major potential however, if we can save it and help place Mt. Pleasant itself, on the map, so to speak, as a town of pivotal early american history. I'm determined to do just that where we can"
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Interest in the Lundy gets a hand from an experienced Specialist in the field of Historical Preservation
Principal Architect, Steve Avdakov, R.A. ., NCARB met with Midwest Center executive director, Richard Olivito yesterday at the Lundy in Mt. Pleasant, along with their assistants, and instantly expressed both a strong love for the history of
the home and Mt. Pleasant in general but also in working with us, to develop a key
restoration plan for the home, all done in accordance w/t historical relevance and
national standards.
This is an exciting development and one that helps brings a level of professionalism to the restoration of this national landmark that is needed and sought after, since I obtained the home this past Spring.
Steve brings a world of experience and a very high level of understanding and actual restorative background and is currently working on several historical preservation projects in the Ohio Valley, including the Old Tavern in Belmont County.
"I would be anxious and honored to be involved with you richard, in having the opportunity to work with you to restore the Lundy home. Its an amazing piece of orginal american history and we know we can bring it back to a great degree of its original status in its form and appearance as well work with you to raise
the awareness of the project throughout the national historical trust "
This is a major step forward and one, that has been keenly anticipated in the brief period since the house came into our ownership recently
the home and Mt. Pleasant in general but also in working with us, to develop a key
restoration plan for the home, all done in accordance w/t historical relevance and
national standards.
This is an exciting development and one that helps brings a level of professionalism to the restoration of this national landmark that is needed and sought after, since I obtained the home this past Spring.
Steve brings a world of experience and a very high level of understanding and actual restorative background and is currently working on several historical preservation projects in the Ohio Valley, including the Old Tavern in Belmont County.
"I would be anxious and honored to be involved with you richard, in having the opportunity to work with you to restore the Lundy home. Its an amazing piece of orginal american history and we know we can bring it back to a great degree of its original status in its form and appearance as well work with you to raise
the awareness of the project throughout the national historical trust "
This is a major step forward and one, that has been keenly anticipated in the brief period since the house came into our ownership recently
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