Month: May 2016 (2)

Different Preservation Standards

What does it mean to “preserve” a historic building? A. Preserve all the battle scars of the building’s history as we see it today. B. Restore the glory days and make the building look as it once did C. Keep history alive by continuing to use the building in new ways D. Bring back the dead and rebuild history that would otherwise be forgotten And the answer is… E. All of the above. Options A through D above refer to different WAYS that a building can be preserved. Each treatment option corresponds to a written set of guidelines and standards, compliments of the Secretary of the Interior division of the National Park Service. Any of the options may be the right fit for your historic preservation project, but you can only choose one. Review the descriptions below and identify which treatment best aligns to your preservation intentions. A.   Preservation Option A sets the foundation of best practices for all of the options: Preserve as much material history as possible Retain the historic character Recognize the physical record of time, place, and use Save special materials, features, and craftsmanship Work gently, don’t use harsh chemicals or tough treatments Protect archeological resources This option was ideal for preserving the Samuel B. Strait House by repointing the original 1857 stone-walls to maintain and protect the building for another generation. B.   Restoration Restoration follows the same principals as Option A, except that all work is done to preserve a specific time in the building’s history. For example, if someone added a window after the chosen period of significance, then Option B would call for infilling the opening. This option was ideal for restoring the R.F. Jones (Longfellow) House interior after it was altered for use as a public library and then damaged by […]

The Cost of Historic Preservation

Historic building projects get a bad reputation for costing more to repair than constructing a new building. (Why else would you need government grants and public funding to make these projects happen?) While the bill to restore those historic wood windows may be higher than new vinyl windows, the cost of losing a piece of the building’s history is greater still. Financial assistance for historic projects recognizes that you can’t put a price tag on the intangible resources inherent in historic buildings. Think of a building’s history as a natural resource. Historic buildings record a story of the people who designed, built, used, and altered them over the years. The cracks and quirks define the building’s character and make it as unique as a human face. Historic buildings create a sense of place because they are the faces of our streets, neighborhoods, and cities. The story and character of a historic building can be leveraged for economic development, heritage tourism, and downtown revitalization. Preserving a historic downtown or a neighborhood residence keeps memories alive and enriches the places we choose to live or visit. When I visit a revitalized downtown I see an identity as strong as any branding campaign. People continue to add to this story by continuing to inhabit historic buildings. Many of the stores and restaurants I visit on a weekly basis are a repeat of another business in the next suburb over. Historic buildings are a relief from the sameness of franchises and corporations. Historic districts are a catalyst for economic development as they positively impact jobs, property values, heritage tourism and downtown revitalization. The upkeep and repairs may cost more than new construction, but a greater cost is paid when these buildings fall into disrepair or are demolished. History, once lost, cannot be rebuilt as […]