News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Tennessee Historical Commission has requested that the White County Commissioners purchase an additional ten acres of land adjacent to the Rock House.
Commissioners approved the purchase of some 20 acres earlier this year. Tennessee Historic Commission Program Director Dan Brown told commissioners Monday night that the owner may develop a separate ten acres that would destroy the historic integrity of the Rock House.
“We’re just concerned that that area is going to be developed and that it’ll be sold and developed,” Brown said. “It’s historic and it fits right with the Sparta Rock House there and the history of it. We know that in that 10 acreage is early railroad tracks and stuff like that, and the 20 acres was most important.”
Brown said the commission is set to begin a renovation project of some $317,000 later this month.
White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the current land owner declined the county’s proposal of $12,000 per acre and he believes it would cost more than $140,000 to buy the 10 acres. Brown said the Historic Commission is set to vote Friday to purchase the original 20 acres from White County and would do the same with any additional land purchased.
“Been working in preservation for many decades of my life, and this is one of the most important projects I think I’ve ever had the honor and privilege of being involved with,” Brown said. “To save something for the perpetuity of not just the historic site, but the people of Tennessee.”
Robinson said he has not reached out to the owner since he requested $16,000 per acre. Brown said the state commission is willing to pay more if the county were to decide to pay more than its budgeted $140,000 for the temporary purchase.
Commissioner Chris Brewington asked where the county would get the money if the price went up, citing that “we’re already broke.”
“I can’t help that,” Brewington said. “We’ve got employees that need raises… With families.”
Local Preservationist Connie Farris said she has concerns that the state’s renovation plans for the Rock House will leave it unrecognizable. She said removing the porch, and columns, adding sidewalks, and limewashing sandstones will diminish the historical value.
“I’m just concerned that the building is not being preserved or restored,” Farris said. “It’s being destroyed.”
Brown assured her that some of the best conservationists in the U.S. working on the project and that every detail has been checked for historical accuracy. He said much of what is currently featured at the Rock House is historically inaccurate and the changes would turn it back into what it was around 1900.
Commissioners eventually agreed to allow the Budget Committee to discuss purchasing the additional 10 acres at its regularly scheduled meeting later this month.
