Dialogue might save Center for History

Several times over the past few years I have discovered, in the flotsam of my basement, many items of historic relevance to Wheaton's history. They have been graciously received by keepers of the Center for History.

Recently, still more surfaced, but these were graciously refused due to lack of storage and ability to process them properly. It seemed the only existent repository for our town's story was in extreme danger of closing down due to lack of subsistence funding. Facts are real and compelling. Our economy is struggling to right itself and the severity of its wounding slow to heal. Neither individuals nor communities have been exempted from the impact of this major economic upheaval.

Our Center for History has been operating on income from fees and donations, plus substantial support under a Historic Commission Ordinance contract with the city of Wheaton established in 1991, to preserve and create awareness of our town's history. This funding was not renewed in the 2009 or 2010 budgeting process. Our city council feels it must hold firm to this decision due to the many other recession-generated obstacles facing it.

Needless to say, nothing is as simple as we would like. Varying opinions concerning a solution for this dilemma are abundant and plausible. To have an opinion can mean our thoughts seem true and probable to our minds, but we are still open to dialogue. What is needed more than anything is that each of us, who feel deeply the critical nature of preserving our unique Wheaton story, put our creative thoughts together and offer methods of solving the present stalemate. Certainly, the director of our Center for History, our mayor and city council would be eternally grateful for any and all productive counsel.

Marianne Avery

Wheaton