I appreciate your coverage of the Sound View’s proposed nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. For too long, the rich history of Sound View has been obscured by its rowdy reputation from the 1950s to 1990s. As an intact pre-1938 beach community, Sound View is a unique and rare coastal resource. It was developed in the early 1890s, and there is very good evidence that it is the nation’s oldest public beach. The Historic District designation honors this tradition, and will help to preserve the neighborhood and public beach for future generations. 

Kimberly Drelich’s excellent article, “Old Lyme’s Sound View could earn spot on National Register of Historic Places,” (Aug. 14), clearly explained the benefits of obtaining this designation, stating that it not only provides recognition of the area’s unique historic attributes, but also allows owners of historic properties to be eligible for preservation grants and incentives, and there are no restrictions on how owners may use or develop their properties, unlike a local historic district.

This is a very positive step forward for Sound View, and I hope residents will take the time to express their support for the nomination. The full application will be posted soon at http://www.oldlyme-ct.gov/Pages/OldLymeCT_projects/currentproject.

Michaelle Pearson

Old Lyme