HERITAGE ASSOCIATION KEEPS PAST ALIVE FOR FUTURE

Bernard Schaper's photo albums brim with Jackson's past.

From grainy, water-damaged 19th century prints of citizens on mud-slogged streets, to countless organization group photos over the decades, the photos tell the story of a growing community.

Preserving that story is part of the mission of the Jackson Heritage Association. Formed in 1977, the non-profit group is best known for operating and keeping up the historic Oliver House Museum. It also collects the histories of businesses, manufacturers, individuals and events from the city's past and preserves photos, manuscripts, historic buildings and other objects of importance.

Schaper, whose retirement from the grocery business in 1976 put him in perfect position to help lead the fledgling organization, maintains the photo archives and oversees production of the association's annual historic photo calendar. That, membership dues and tour fees of the Oliver House, generate the group's money.

The story of the heritage association actually began some 15 years earlier, as "progress" threatened the deteriorating Federal style Oliver House on East Adams Street.

"It was saved from destruction by the chamber of commerce in the early sixties," Schaper said. "They had the idea of making it into a period house and museum."

That, of course, is exactly what the stately old homes today. It was not a smooth transformation, though.

"Several groups were formed to restore the house," Schaper recalled. "It was always a question of money. They ran out of money and little was accomplished. The house sat there quite a while. Finally, a group of local citizens decided to take on he project."

The Jackson Heritage Association as formed in 1977 and the Oliver House restoration -- of which Schaper was named project director -- was the first job to be tackled.

"It was a slow thing," he said. "It took five years to get to the point here we could have tours. It was all done with local talents, local labor, local financial gifts and gifts of objects an furnishings."

The house is retired and decorated in the manner it might have been late in the 19th century, when State Senator Robert Burell Oliver lived in the house. Oliver and his wife, Marie Watkins Oliver, bought the house in 1881, while he was Cape County prosecuting attorney.

"It was sort of a hub for political meetings and became known as the Oliver House," Schaper said. "It's now furnished in a manner in which the Oliver family might have had it furnished."

Most of the furniture is antique. Window treatments and wall coverings are true to the period, as well.

The Oliver House restoration opened the doors for other historic items to be preserved, including old photos.

"During restoration we were given many objects, including old pictures," Schaper said. "We didn't have time to look at them or appreciate them at the time. But later we looked at them and said What a wonderful way to show the history of the Jackson area!'

"Now it's an ongoing project to collect and usually to copy historic pictures that people present to us."

Schaper and the association are still interested in receiving or copying historic local photos. One he would especially like to see -- if any exist -- is any shots of the legendary moving and rotating of Jones Drug Store around 1910. Said to be the first brick structure moved and rotated west of the Mississippi, the project is almost incomprehensible. No known photo exists -- though it is hard to believe no one snapped a shot of the spectacle.

The JHA also hopes to increase membership. Extra tour guides for the Oliver House and other volunteers are always welcome. Those interested may contact Schaper at 243-2281.

If today's generations of young adults take an interest in local history and preservation, that heritage should continue to be around for future generations to enjoy.