Readers of this series of essays on the rebuilding of the American Tobacco Historic District will often find a recurring theme. Repeatedly, attention is afforded to the detail and style of the old buildings as well as to the enthusiasm of the workers restoring that detail and style.

"If it's good, you don't tire of hearing it. If it's shallow and easy to absorb, you will tire of it soon."

Those were the words of my undergraduate Music Survey professor, William Duckworth, 37 years ago. He noted that great music by great masters from centuries ago was still performed while nifty little tunes that could be memorized quickly would not stand the test of time.

I embrace that philosophy as I often repeat stories about the compelling style and character found throughout the American Tobacco Historic District. I am constantly awed by this phenomena in the buildings and pieces of equipment.

Looking at the accompanying photograph of a wheel that turned a valve in the power plant, one finds the inner supports for the wheel to be a series of stylistic circles. That kind of design is not found in equipment delivered by plumbing supply distributors in today's world.

Yet the builders of that era allowed the style and character of that period to flow over into the construction of not only factory buildings, but also the equipment used in those buildings.

Like the music of great masters from other periods, this style and character deserves and merits repeated attention.

When the bulldozer takes down a modern structure lacking in style and character, not too much fuss is made. On the other hand, people have been known to stand in front of wrecking balls in a symbolic attempt to preserve the great style and character of buildings from earlier times.

What a blessing it is that someone had the vision to preserve and protect this style and character of the American Tobacco Historic District for centuries to come!

And not only that, someone had the vision to not just preserve this style and character, but also make it functional for contemporary use.