Janet, a Town of Brookfield resident, has lived in the Elmbrook area for nearly 40 years and is an avid gardener and volunteer. Her blog focuses on the city and town of Brookfield – past, present and future.
When visiting other countries, I marvel at buildings that are 100, 200, 300 or more years old. The buildings are charming. They look old because they are old.
Just think. At the time these structures were built, there was no electricity, plumbing or heating systems. Over the years, these services were added to the buildings. Surely someone must have done a cost / benefit analysis about retrofitting the buildings vs. tearing them down.
Preservation had to be encouraged in some areas of Paris, France. The compromise: owners need to maintain the building’s facade but are able to update the building’s interior.
I’m thankful that these historic treasures still exist.
While 19th century buildings don’t meet our 21st century needs, some people value the history and culture they represent. Why can’t we?
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