This whole discussion has raised some interesting questions on the
relationship of histo presto and animal preservation.  I have worked on
monuments and structures where the needs of the wildlife and of the
structure were antithetical.

The Swedish Cottage in Central Park (1879) had a larger population of
squirrels than people living in it before it was restored. The largest
population in the building was the marionettes that were used in the puppet
theater downstairs since the 1940's by puppeteers who had to pass the New
York City puppeteer's civil servant exams, no lie.  The stored puppets were
stuffed into every hollow under the eaves and crawling around the eaves
inspecting the building with both their eyes and those of the squirrels on
me, not to mention those of the exceedingly odd approved puppeteers, was
rather unnerving.  Think Giopetto's workshop with the lights out.

The squirrels had chewed their ways into hollow they could find, leaving
nests and associated unpleasantries and holes in the shingled walls.
Restoration of the structure included not only closing the building cladding
but dealing with the squirrel population.  I had no problem with evicting
the rats in fur coats but I wonder what other occurrences of human and not
human habitation has been encountered and when the feathered or furry
friends have had a better hearing than they did in this case.

Mark
----- Original Message -----
From: "mitch wilds" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 1:04 PM
Subject: Save a Building/Save a Deer


> The following legislation enacted this year, seems appropriate to the
> week's topics...
>
> GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
>                           SESSION 2001
>
>                       SESSION LAW 2001-382
>                          SENATE BILL 587
>
> AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF DURHAM TO REQUIRE OWNERS OF
>   LANDMARKS AND BUILDINGS WITHIN HISTORIC DISTRICTS TO MAINTAIN
>   THEIR PROPERTY IN GOOD CONDITION AND TO PROHIBIT THE TAKING
>   OF DEER WITH DOGS IN DURHAM COUNTY.
>
> Which will be more easily accomplished?  Training owners of landmarked
> properties to be good stewards or training dogs to take
> muskrat/burros/etc. instead of deer?
>
> My money is on the dogs.
> --
>
> F. Mitchener Wilds, Senior Restoration Specialist
> Restoration Branch
> State Historic Preservation Office
> 919/733-6547
> http://www.hpo.dcr.state.nc.us
>
> ***My opinions may not be those of my agency.***
>