Conference is source of ideas for Main Street, JCED


This ghost sign is one of many ways the City of Philadelphia is connecting to the past without destroying it. (Photos submitted)

This Italian market is located where Italian immigrants lived and worked in the 1880s.

   What makes a place great? What makes you want to go back to a place time after time? Is it the food, the attractions, the people, the history, or all of the above?

   Visiting new places is not only a way to relax and unwind, but it’s a way to see what other communities do to make themselves a great place to visit.

   Recently, Monticello Main Street Director Brian Wolken and Jones County Economic Development Director Derek Lumsden got out of town to attend the National Main Street Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. This conference mixes educational and instructional opportunities with networking better than almost any other conference, and this year’s conference was no exception.

   Obviously, there are some major differences between Monticello and Philadelphia. Not only is Philadelphia a major metro area, but it also houses some great historical artifacts from the beginning of our country.

   From Independence Hall to the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia is overflowing with history about the beginnings of our democracy and is a great reminder of some of the threads that bind us all together as Americans. Philadelphia is also a melting pot of cultures from all over the world that help impact their daily lives, businesses and culture.

   Visiting the East Coast is always great for some of the history to be seen from the time of the founding fathers of America. Being in the same place where some of the greats such as Benjamin Franklin once stood is always exhilarating.

   And whether it’s learning about the history of our country through the lens of timeless icons like the Liberty Bell, or getting to educate ourselves about the myriad of people that played roles in the development of our nation (well-known or not), there are always great lessons to bring back home.

   Visiting historic cities like Philadelphia also makes us appreciate the craftsmanship of the ages. There are buildings that date back hundreds of years and are still as active as they were in the initial stages of development in this country.

   One thing many communities have done in the last 50-plus years is to “modernize” their communities. From tearing down of historic row homes to covering those original brick buildings in the downtown, communities have forgotten their great heritage, hiding or demolishing the expertise of centuries that we would give anything to have back nowadays.

   This is sad on so many levels, because sometimes it cn be so easy. A ghost sign photographed during the trip is a great example of a way to connect to the past without destroying it. Regardless of what the building is being used for now, this sign from days past shows not only what the building was, but allows people to trace it through newspapers, geneaology, etc. Just like public art, ghost signs have a place to allow the public a better connection to the past without infringing upon the present or future of a community.

   Outdoor amenities help flavor the area as well. While local parks are an easy one, there are other ways to draw people outside and let them enjoy their community. Monticello Main Street did its own mural project a little over a year ago, and is helping partner with another one.

   But murals don’t have to be of just the paint variety. One downtown empty lot has been transformed by the power of art. The artist in question has taken what most would consider trash or recycling, and repurposed it into an amazing indoor/outdoor art museum. The art goes up the side of one building and onto the roof of another. The outdoor lot has a wall of art that can be admired from the sidewalk, but as part of a museum effort, it can also be viewed from the interior. This art complex is completely covered in materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

   And while this is one small area in Philadelphia, these types of art displays (especially on the sides of buildings) are all over the community, as there have been consistent commissions requested since the artist first installed one in the late 1960s.

   One of the best neighborhoods visited was the Italian market. It was named for the immigrant population that lived and worked in the neighborhood back in the 1880s. It began as a simple boarding house for Italian immigrants who began to expand and see the possibilities for their own ventures.

   These immigrants opened businesses and soon the business district encompassed several blocks of businesses, and was very insulated with its own banks, movie theaters, etc.

   Other cultures did as well, and now the community boasts restaurants and businesses from around the world. There are the usual restaurants that you might see in any district, including outdoor sales.

   However, these sales are done on the street for the most part, much like businesses used to do in the early 1900s. Produce tables, floral arrangements and other supplies outside the business, as well as active selling on the street, allow people to walk up and browse, or purchase and go. Has anyone else ever walked into a downtown or business district in Jones County lately, and seen a business that sells live animals?

   There were so many great things seen in Philadelphia, from exploring original buildings to see how they lived in the 1700s (and are still active homes today), to viewing a storefront that had been turned into a classroom to teach people to sew.

   Philadelphia offered a great glimpse into the past of our nation through dedicated museums and historic sites, but also gave a great view of what Monticello could be to a future generation visiting the community.

   While some of this information was gleaned from tours and exploration, how to enact some of this vision was done via the conference that was attended, as other communities shared how they made their visions be successful as well.

   This conference was full of great ideas and endless possibilities for what Monticello might consider next.

   This national network showcases some of the best practices for communities while still finding ways to be inspiring and creative…and we can’t wait to see what Monticello does next!

   (Editor’s note: This article was a joint project written and submitted by Monticello Main Street and Jones County Economic Development)

 

 

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