Another heritage building lost to us

I am sick and tired of the platitudes and excuses that are marched out every time we lose a piece of our built heritage. In the case of Langton House (Peterborough Examiner, Sept. 13) we have yet another owner who has bitten off more heritage than it can chew. Rather than own up to this fact, the finger is, yet again, pointed at the building: the bats, the soil, the foundation. It’s the building’s fault; the building is to blame. Not the owner. Never the poor owner who is in over its head; never the poor owner who failed to recognize the full risk and cost of renovating old and neglected buildings; never the poor owner whose larger vision is worthy and commendable; never the poor owner whose budget is already spent on other things.

Owning a significant heritage asset is about stewardship: to care for and improve over time. The story of Langton House is a story of failure -- that of all its stewards: the current one who is tearing it down, the prior one who neglected it, and the rest of us who accept the platitudes and excuses. And so another icon of our community’s heritage is relegated to the dust bin, like countless before it.

I gather I missed the farewell party. Missed my chance to shed a tear and tie a pretty ribbon to a temporary construction fence. It’ll be alright; I’m sure some well-meaning soul will salvage a few pathetic Langton House bricks and create a pleasing display that reads “On this site something important once stood.” J.P. Pawliw Bolivar St.