THE DANVILLE HERITAGE COMMISSION

June 9, 1998

HERITAGE is defined in Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary as “something handed down from one’s ancestors or the past, as a characteristic, a culture, tradition, etc.”

The Town of Danville is blessed with a plethora of unique historical resources, including “Ye Olde Cemetery,” “The Old Meeting House,” a “Bee Hive Hut,” 20+ structures built in the 1700’s, nearly 100 structures built in the 1800’s, and many in the early 1900’s. Our historical resources include the original 1802 “Town Pound” and several early original town roads, such as Tuckertown Road, Bedbug (Hersey) Road and Rockrimmon Road.

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “It would be worthwhile if, in each town, there were a committee appointed to see that the beauty of the town received no detriment.” This describes the purpose of our Heritage Commission more clearly than any other words.

Established by Danville voters in 1996, the Heritage Commission is an official town board created to serve the town, its residents and its organizations. Its mission is to identify those places in Danville that contain and embody the character, culture, and tradition handed down through generations to those of us who now reside in Danville.

The Commission also endeavors to educate residents about the importance of the town’s history and to that end, has established a History Board at the Town Hall with new topics of interest every two months.

One of the Commission’s duties is to make recommendations for preservation and protection of the town’s historical treasures, sites and structures. The Commission has also been empowered by the voters to assume the composition, duties, responsibilities, and powers of an Historic District Commission.

The Heritage Commission recently assisted the Planning Board with updating the historical resources section of the new edition of the town’s Master Plan. A resource inventory was enhanced, the first historical overview was written and the Commission made initial recommendations to the Planning Board for steps for future protection of the Town’s historical resources.

To gain insight, the Commission developed and mailed a survey to each household requesting comments on various areas, and the desire to protect the historic resources, character, and charm within those areas. Respondents overwhelmingly indicated a desire for not one, but two areas they believed would be enriched by some form of historic protection. As it continues its work, it is important to the Commission that Danville residents have an opportunity to understand and appreciate the value of retaining the town’s historical assets and safeguarding them for the future.

This is the first in a series of articles where the Danville Heritage Commission hopes to share with all area readers, pictures and stories of places that have survived the test of time to help make Danville a place of history and beauty.