Webster Groves commission discusses creating digital Webster Landmarks collection and other preservation projects

Members of the Webster Groves Historic Preservation Commission discussed plans to create a Webster Landmarks collection hosted on Missouri Digital Heritage, along with other preservation activities including plaque wording, archival research and possible salvaging of historic materials from a property slated for demolition.

A commission member said the group has been exploring the feasibility of harvesting existing documentation from the city website and internal records to create a searchable collection on Missouri Digital Heritage. Staff and volunteers told the commission that the state-hosted site requires uploaded items in PDF format, and that most of the landmark nomination documents already exist in PDF. The commission was told the state’s application process appeared straightforward and that hosting would be provided at no cost.

Commission discussion covered anticipated scope and logistics. Members estimated the new collection would include roughly 50–60 properties and noted the collection entries would be searchable by address, owner, original builder and descriptive fields. One member said once the collection structure is defined, uploading files would be quick and the group could have a working collection by summer; another said they would seek permission from the mayor, city council and city manager before proceeding so city officials are informed.

Participants discussed several related local preservation items. The commission’s library contact demonstrated an example digital collection and said the library already hosts similar archives and could be a fallback host. Commissioners agreed to coordinate with the Webster Groves Historical Society and other local researchers to supplement deeds, photographs and background text. Members reported recent archival finds: a volunteer said he had located deeds that may show Cynthia Marshall purchased three acres of a North Webster property in the late 1880s and that subsequent subdivisions and sales follow through the early 20th century.

The group also discussed onsite preservation when buildings are demolished. Commissioners asked whether contractors would set aside architectural items and whether pieces such as bricks could be made available to community groups; one member suggested contacting a property’s contractor or owner to request salvaged elements. A member noted that community organizations (including fraternities mentioned in the discussion) had interest in preserving physical fragments tied to local Black heritage and suggested staff follow up with the contractor when demolition scheduling is firm.

Commissioners touched on other program items: they described a plan to draft short (two- or three-sentence) descriptions for each property based on existing nomination documentation, and to seek formal city approval before uploading the collection. Staff said there appeared to be no funding request required to begin the digital collection; the primary work would be defining metadata fields, collecting PDFs and coordinating permissions. Members agreed to continue work on feasibility, to refine the collection structure and to return with a more concrete plan at the next meeting.