Restore the Herbst House
I write as the daughter of the late Jack Squires, a man widely respected throughout Sewickley and the greater Pittsburgh area for his expertise in restoration and early American antiques, to add my voice to those calling for the preservation of the Herbst House.
As a child, my father, who thoughtfully restored two old Victorian homes himself, would drive me through Sewickley, pointing out architecturally significant homes while telling me stories of the people who built and cared for them. He believed Sewickley was a truly special community precisely because of its residents’ commitment to honoring and preserving the past. Those drives instilled in me a deep appreciation for what historic architecture represents, not merely wood and stone, but the living memory of a community.
It was with that spirit in mind that I first learned of the church’s plans to demolish the Herbst House, and I was heartbroken.
I do not have the resources to undertake the restoration myself. If I did, I would not hesitate. But I hold onto the hope that someone in this community will step forward to save this remarkable structure before it is lost forever. In the meantime, I have watched with sadness as this magnificent building has been left to deteriorate by the Catholic Church, water damage accumulating, vines and weeds overtaking its grounds, while nothing is done to halt its decline.
Sewickley does not lack for green space. What it stands to lose is something far harder to replace: a piece of irreplaceable architectural and cultural heritage. Whatever the motivations behind the push for demolition, the outcome would be the same, a permanent and unnecessary loss.
Please, restore the Herbst House. Let it stand as a testament to the fact that Sewickley remembers where it came from, and remains committed to honoring those who came before us.
Pamela R. Squires
Sewickley
