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By the reckoning of their descendants, the first family of settlers in what is now Jamestown was here about 1755.

So, let’s say that the community is, in round numbers, 250 years old.

The oldest surviving physical evidence of that settlement is probably the hand-carved cornerstone resting on a windowsill in the Richard Mendenhall house — with “1765” carved on its face.

It was saved by Martha Robbins Tilden from the site of the James Mendenhall house sometime after the reservoir began to fill, probably in 1928, so there is no question about its provenance.

Jamestown has lost many historic structures during the past 250 years. That is not surprising, because we come from a culture that equates change with progress.

It’s The American Way, apparently. We build and then we tear down and build something else. We have always had the space and money to do that. We don’t put much stock in thrift these days.

But, when we look at the few old structures that have been standing for a long time we appreciate the very continuity that they represent, the charm, the character, the long ago times. They add a comforting presence that says, “I am still here. I am here to stay. I hope you are, too.”

Most of us like to feel that we are part of something that will last and carry on.

About the time of our nation’s bicentennial celebration, interest in all things historical burgeoned. The book “Roots” was published. Genealogical societies were organized. History museums found they needed to expand. The National Register of Historic Places was developed; it was a new national system for recognizing individual historic properties.

Jamestown has two National Register Historic Districts, one centered on the Richard Mendenhall house, and the other around Oakdale Mill and Mill Village.

There also are four buildings that are listed individually (Mendenhall House, Coffin-Robbins-Tilden House, Jamestown Old School, Ragsdale Farm). These National Register districts and properties have received recognition, but their recognition provides no oversight or protection (except against use of federal funds to damage them).

North Carolina’s legislature offers its own version of preservation, however, and this one does provide oversight and protection. It is a set of statutes enabling county and municipal governments to create their own historic preservation commissions. Municipalities may send a representative to the county commission, and Jamestown does this.

Municipalities also may create their own preservation commissions, and the commissions may, in turn, create and oversee local historic districts and landmark properties.

Greensboro, High Point, Oak Ridge and Gibsonville have done this.
That is what the Jamestown Historic Preservation Group hopes to persuade Jamestown to do — to create a local historic preservation commission.

The first step in such a move would be for the Town Council of Jamestown to pass an ordinance creating a commission. The commission could then determine where historic district(s) should be, and if individual properties should be designated as “landmarks.”
On Sept. 28, the first of several public meetings was held at the Jamestown Public Library to explain the project.

A PowerPoint program, “A Historic District for Jamestown,” described the steps that need to be taken to pass such an ordinance in Jamestown and showed photographs of numerous historic properties now standing in town. A representative from the state’s Historic Preservation Office was on hand to field questions.

A special series of brief essays also are being published on the town’s website as a courtesy to the JHPG and in an effort to better inform residents about the proposal.

When the JHPG feels that the public has been made aware of the project, it will present the plan to the Town Council. This will involve additional public meetings.

If the council approves, it will go for final approval to the state Historic Preservation Office, in the state Department of Cultural Resources. If that office approves it, a commission can be appointed and begin work.

Members of the JHPG are myself, Dot Perdue, Jane Payne, Bill Harris, Billy Ragsdale and Carol Brooks. We have met with the town planner, Matthew Johnson, and the town clerk, Martha Wolfe, whose work will be impacted if the ordinance is passed.

We also have met with members of the state’s preservation office, who have provided advice and factual information on the process.
Because of the loss of properties within the old National Register Jamestown Historic District, it is now considered to be much smaller than originally described. Oakdale Mill and Village District, on the other hand, are considered to be larger than originally described, now extending to the Oakdale Methodist Church.

It would probably make sense for the commission to designate these two areas as two local historic districts, although that would have to be determined. It would probably not make sense to include Jamestown’s business district.

Several historic properties that are not within either of those areas could be designated individual “landmark” properties.

The benefits to the whole town of having a historic preservation commission would be significant. Property values in historic districts (and near them) would remain high because of the oversight.

Placing protection on our most important historical properties ensures that they’ll be looked after properly and remain assets to burnish our town’s historic atmosphere and well-publicized reputation.

Mary Browning is a longtime resident of Jamestown. Contact her at maryab30@triad.rr.com.