The November 18 issue of City Newspaper shared one reader's passionate opinions and perceptions about our work at the Landmark Society ("The Past and Future of Campbell-Whittlesey"). We are encouraged that community members care enough about our historic built environment to speak to it, and Douglas Fisher's piece gives us the opportunity to continue the conversation about the Campbell-Whittlesey House in a factual, objective manner.

Our mission and our work have never wavered from a wholehearted embrace of the values of historic preservation planning and the outstanding and unique architectural heritage of our region. Our programs, services, and events continue to promote preservation and planning practices that foster healthy, livable, and sustainable communities. We were founded with these ideals in mind, and we continue to exemplify the intentions of our founders and our members by continuing unparalleled commitments to our historic built environment.

Since our founding in 1937, the field of preservation has evolved from one of merely ensuring that architectural landmarks remain standing to one of preservation planning that ensures that those landmarks serve a viable and integral purpose in our daily lives. We've embraced this transformation, broadening our reach to encompass how preservation functions in sustainable ways relevant to today's needs.

As such, we do not delegate our mission work of historic preservation to others. We are joined by our members to lead the charge for responsible historic preservation planning practices for our region while protecting the future of a wide variety of historic resources, Campbell-Whittlesey House among them. Without the resources to cover the costs of proper stewardship, even the most finely preserved structures will decline and fail. To let Campbell-Whittlesey House decline without seeking a better solution would be the true betrayal to our history and to the people of Rochester. This shall not happen on our watch.

The Landmark Society remains committed to seeing this significant architectural treasure preserved by finding a compatible adaptive reuse that assures that its architectural integrity remains intact for hundreds of years to come. In the words of the trade, this is understood as proper stewardship.

Historic preservation planning does not require that the use of our resources remains static. Condemning a building to a use that no longer serves its purpose can only lead to the degradation of the resource. Take a look around and see how we have embraced the concept of adaptive reuse of manufacturing buildings converted to residential use. Next time you go into a restaurant, if it's an older structure, chances are it may have earlier served an entirely different purpose. You get the idea.

The exploration of new use for Campbell-Whittlesey is generating a time of great excitement around the prospect of bringing this wonderful historic resource back to active life. We welcome hearing your constructive ideas about Campbell-Whittlesey that can inspire and protect.

One point of clarification: As we move forward in our deliberations, we will continue to follow legal and best-practice protocols to assure that our accessioned objects are properly tended. More information on Campbell-Whittlesey and our work in preservation planning is available on our website.

JOANNE B. ARANY, ROCHESTER

Arany is the executive director of The Landmark Society of Western New York, Inc.