Christopher Gray's NY Times article on Sunday, Jamuary 25 regarding the
Abigail Adams Smith estate I found interesting 1) for the fact that I have
been there a few times over the last ten years to look at work and 2) the
contractor side gossip that I have heard, and will not repeat as it is mostly
mundane complaints, during the recent spate of restoration work. I particular
I enjoyed Mr. Gray's closing remark, quoted as follows:

"It is a curious building -- barn, hotel, residence, museum -- emblematic of a
search by such historic sites everywhere to venture beyond the gentry worship
of their origins earlier in this century."

I think it would be very difficult to deny the element of gentry worship as
historically preceding our current period of activity as preservationeers. Of
relevance to the task of getting historic preservation onto the popular
psychic map; a measure of the degree to which historic preservation is
perceived as gentry worship would be useful.

Strategem: in making an appeal to the public for preservation, downplay any
aspects of gentry worship.

Strategem: support the preservation of structures that may not be
aesthetically pleasing, but that have a popular support of the general
community.

Strategem: involve the public in the preservation project.

][<en Follett