Preserving History

Prompted by a trip to the historic Clifton Mill...

I have a great deal of respect for those who preserve pieces of history for generations that will follow. The Clifton Mill would be one example in my area.

I grew up less than 10 miles from the mill and the Clifton Gorge area. It holds many fond memories for me as it was the home of my husband's late grandmother and to this day remains the halfway point between my current home and that of my parents.

The Clifton Mill is a landmark. It's an operational gristmill that has been around since 1802, offers tours, has a gift shop, a restaurant, and at the Christmas holidays draws people from far and wide with its phenomenal lighting displays. It also hosts the owner's incredible Santa Claus collection. It's the holiday lights Mecca of Ohio.

I take a personal interest in these preservations due to my love of history. I commend the current owners who have restored the minute details and added a wonderful twist with a miniature village layout along the millrace and a restored covered bridge that spans the gorge to allow incredible vistas that would otherwise by obscured due to the old growth trees.

My area is rich with these priceless treasures. Another such venture to recently be completed is the Westcott House. It's a prairie style Frank Lloyd Wright house that is just two blocks from my home and an incredible restoration project that is now a museum.

If you ever venture to this part of Ohio, you ought to experience some of these incredible sights. You can help me applaud the visionaries who care about preserving our past for our future.
Dawn