Next ‘Brooks & Company” show to focus on efforts to preserve Anatok

Anatok, the 165-year-old mansion located behind Bethlehem High School, is threatened by demolition by the Bethlehem High school board. Preservationists are fighting to convince the board from demolishing the old home and offer ways to preserve it for future generations.

Friday, June 22, 2012, 5 a.m. — Tuesday’s edition of “Brooks & Company” will focus on Anatok, the historic home owned by Bethlehem High School and the controversy regarding the school’s plans that have included tearing the 165-year-old mansion down. Local historian David H. Hall will be the in-studio guest and will discuss the history of Anatok and why it deserves to be preserved.

The Bethlehem High School school board is looking at long-range plans of the school and has reviewed proposals from a number of architectural firms for the future of the school campus. According to media reports, none of those future plans included use of the Anatok mansion in any form. While a second Anatok committee continues to meet, a decision on the final campus improvement plan is due in August. Anatok’s fate will presumably be decided at that time as well.

Supporters — including hundreds of people who signed a petition urging the school to preserve the mansion — continue to call for the preservation of the building. Supporters continue to present the committee with plans for Anatok’s preservation, and note that demolishing the building and creating green space or a parking lot can’t be done without considerable expense.

“Brooks & Company” airs 11 to noon every Tuesday on 1320 WBRT. Listen online at www.NelsonCountyGazette.com or www.WBRTCountry.com.

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