Volunteer Group To Promote Preservation Of Buildings

A small group of volunteers is so concerned about saving Spokane’s historic buildings that they recently formed an advocacy group to promote preservation.

More than a dozen members turned out last week at the Klein home at Pacific and Madelia to clean the yard and prune some 200 rare rose bushes.

“This is one that needed our help,” said Linda Yeomans, a historic preservation consultant and a member of the new volunteer group.

The Spokane Preservation Advocates organized last winter about the same time as the Old House Workshop was held in February at the Cheney Cowles Museum.

Yeomans said about 30 people have attended the group’s meetings. Organizers are seeking non-profit status. They plan to volunteer to repair and improve historic properties, she said.

Last Saturday, members of the group showed up at Richard Reeves’ home at 1626 E. Pacific to get his yard in shape for spring. They pruned the roses and hauled away debris left over from November’s ice storm.

Reeves has spent years restoring the interior of the 1902 home, which originally was occupied by foundry owner Henry Klein and his wife, Ida. The house is currently for sale by Reeves.

The yard includes an old rose garden that contains many varieties that are no longer available in nurseries. In the 1920s the garden was opened to the public for viewing and even wedding ceremonies, Yeomans said.

The advocacy group is planning other preservation projects this summer, she said.

Anyone interested in joining may call Yeomans at her work telephone number at 456-3828.

, DataTimes