Preservation was one of the most accelerated and most complete cultural revolutions ever, yet because it happened everywhere without much controversy or charismatic leadership it never caught the headlines of its sibling, the environmental movement.

The Preservation movement was in a hurry and often hushed. The environmental movement was not.

Based on past and proven successes, preservation worked. Preservation paid off, and the movement advanced onward.

We have seen the preservation movement at work in the Farmington area and we, too, have seen its successes.

The City of Farmington's restoration of the Exchange Bank building for example.

The Carr family's restoration the Daniel Akin House.

The Chant family's beginning restoration of the Hamilton Clay house at on Oak Street. The Hill family who now owns it continues the work.

And the Marben family who are ceaseless in the restoration and preservation of the Thomas and Elizabeth Davis House also on Oak Street.

In 2000 the Marbens received the Farmington Area Historical Society's Oculus Award. An oculus is a window used to lighten an attic. It’s an eye.

The Marbens have opened their home, every part of it for people to see - from the basement with its fossils imbedded in the limestone floor to the attic with its charred roof joists - and explained the processes of research, preservation, and restoration with the community.

The Marbens have shown us how to do it. And more people than ever before in the Farmington area are researching their house history thanks to them. We will be seeing more people doing house preservation and restoration work as well.