"Cities, Towns & Countryside"

4th Annual Preservation Week 2002 Photo-Essay Competition

First Place: Millie J. Criswell
8th Grade, A. J. Lloyd Middle School
Monticello, Kentucky

Title: West-Metcalf House, Wayne County

Here in my hometown there is a historical site that is very important to our past and is in great danger of being lost forever. It's called the West-Metcalfe House.

The West-Metcalfe House is located in south-central Kentucky. It's approximately ten miles north of Monticello. The house is located near the area of Mill Springs, a historical Civil War site.

West-Metcalfe was built in 1800 by Revolutionary soldier Isaac West. It is build of bricks made by West himself, they were burned on the farm the house sits on now. West-Metcalfe was Wayne County's first brick building. In the 1830's it was used as an office by General Felix Zollicollifer, but after the battle of Mill Springs on January 19, 1862 it was used as a Confederate hospital. Ten or more Confederates are buried on the site.

There have been many myths and legends told about the West-Metcalfe House. People who have the privilege of touring the house say blood from the heroes who were wounded and died, still stains the hardwood floor.

West-Metcalfe's physical condition is very poor and its structure is endangered. It's not open to the public, the floors are not strong enough to support the weight of a human body. West-Metcalfe is privately owned and is not being properly preserved. Graffiti is painted on the north side, where the old porch once was, which has already collapsed. Most of the windows and doors are either broken or missing. The roof is also missing in places. The present owner of the West-Metcalfe House has been asked to sell the house numerous times, but declines. Apparently he doesn't realize its value and its importance to others. I wished the owner would be more receptive to the buildings historical significance. Perhaps if he would try to imagine one of his ancestors being saved or dying there in that house he would be more inclined to donate the structure and a few acres of land to the county or state. This is more than just an old building taking up space; it's history, it's our heritage.

This buildings is not just a building. To me it stands as a symbol, a symbol of my ancestors standing up and fighting for what they believed in. It's very difficult and emotional for me to imagine the bodies that were saved there and the lives that were lost.

We can't make a difference about what happen in our past, but we need to at least preserve those historical sites and structures for the generations ahead. Structures, such as the West-Metcalfe House, can serve to remind us of those who fought and died for what our country is today.

This essay and photograph(s) are the property of Preservation Kentucky, Inc. and Kentucky Heritage Council and that any use of the photo or essay must be approved by PK and KHC.