Historic Preservation in America and How it Can Impact Communitites

In the early decades of American history, the idea of historic preservation was a debate between those trying to pursue a profit and those who desired to do the best for the public good. But some defined historic preservation as tearing down the old building and constructing a new building that was a replica of the old one. There were also battles about who should pay the cost of renovations, rebuilding and/or maintenance and support in the future.

Did Americans always value the practice of historic preservation? By the 1780s, many settlers were moving westward discovering indigenous antiquities previously unseen by those in the east. Many historic sites were plundered to take “souvenirs” back to the east and even to Europe. During the early nineteenth century, the nation was still in its infancy. Most buildings were still relatively young and were not in danger of being demolished by owners. Historic preservation was not something that was considered necessary at that time.

However, in the 1850s, the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, the oldest national historic preservation organization in the United States, was founded with the intended purpose to save George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Roughly 175 years later, Mount Vernon is still owned and maintained by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association through gifts, grants, and legacy donations. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association, a nonprofit organization, was a pioneer in the field of historic preservation and to this day has served as a model for historic preservation organizations.

After an illustrious start, the restoration of Mount Vernon was halted by the Civil War as were many other preservation projects. Economic booms and busts often determined whether historic sites at the end of their useful lives were preserved or demolished, and furthermore who would pay for it. As there was little government or nonprofit ownership, many historic properties were owned by corporations. Preservation projects were often entered into by property owners using the measure of a profit or loss as the impetus of saving an historic site (Wulf, 2020).

In 1906, the Federal Antiquities Act was passed in part out of concern about the plundering of Native American sites in the southwest United States. This act was applied to federal lands and prohibited the excavation, destruction, or appropriation of antiquities without a permit. Throughout the following decades, many larger cities created historic districts and committed to preserving whole neighborhoods of historic houses.

In 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act was passed by Congress with the purpose of protecting “the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the American people; …the preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans" (U.S. Department of Interior, accessed 2023).

Though some contributions to the local community provided by historic preservation are hard to measure with data-driven results, there are several non-tangible reasons to support historic preservation. Historic preservation helps maintain a sense of identity and cultural heritage by preserving buildings and sites that tell the story of the community’s past. Preserving significant landmarks can create a sense of pride and belonging within a community, enhancing its overall identity. Historic buildings and sites represent a community’s unique story, traditions, and values, helping to define its character and differentiate it from other places. Historic buildings and sites allow people to connect with their heritage and understand where they came from. Well-preserved, historic architecture can enhance the visual quality and character of a community.

Preserving historic sites provides opportunities for learning about the past through firsthand experiences, enriching community understanding of history and diverse perspectives by providing educational opportunities for future generations to learn about their history. Heritage tourism has a positive impact on the travelers as well, including a connection to the past, appreciation of diverse cultures, and protecting heritage sites for future generations.

More tangible reasons to support historic preservation include revitalized historic areas that attract tourists thus boosting local economies. Heritage tourism is a measurable benefit of historic preservation. Every year millions of travelers visit America’s historic places. Those that participate in cultural or heritage activities tend to stay longer and spend more money in the community, in turn creating jobs and business opportunities thus improving the quality of life for area residents (Place Economics, 2020).

Historic preservation is a sustainable activity. Reusing and adapting historic buildings can be more environmentally friendly than building new structures, promoting resource conservation (Rypkema, et al., 2011).

When attempting to determine the economic impact of historic preservation on a community, there are several key factors to include in the calculations. The following metrics should be considered when calculating the economic impact of historical preservation: Jobs, Property Values, and Heritage Tourism linked to the following questions: What should be measured? How should it be measured? and Where can the information be found?

Many may not be familiar with the term heritage tourism. The National Trust for Historic Preservation defines heritage tourism as “traveling to experience the places, artifacts, and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.” It can take the form of a variety of experiences and attractions, including historical sites, museums, cultural festivals, archaeological excavations, traditional crafts, and natural landscapes.

There are several economic benefits to local communities from heritage tourism. Oftentimes, there is an entrance fee for the heritage site which contributes to the local economy. Job opportunities are created in the hospitality sector including transportation and lodging. Visitors also spend money in local businesses such as restaurants, gift shops, and arts and crafts markets (Dwyer, 2023).

In the United States, the expenditures on heritage tourism in 2021 was at $119.7 billion with an expected annual growth of 3.5% through the year 2030 (Grand View Research, 2022).

Every town or city with any kind of cultural or natural historical asset should consider investigating what it would take to preserve those assets and what kind of economic benefits could be garnered by the community. There are many federal, state, and private grants that could assist with the costs of restorations and there are many agencies that can assist in an advisory capacity (Franklin, et al., 2011).

Some best practices for establishing heritage tourism in your community include collaboration; be realistic; set clear goals; use appropriate tools; community interaction; be open to change (Franklin, et al., 2011).

• Collaboration: Collaborate with other organizations that could fill the gaps in your organization’s skill set or assets. For example, collaborate with the local chamber of commerce or innkeepers’ organization to make sure that visitors to your area will have lodging.
• Be Realistic. Do not underestimate the complexity of establishing cultural heritage tourism in your community. Be realistic about the scope and difficulty of the project. Do not over promise a tourist’s experience.
• Set Clear Goals: Have clear goals in mind before embarking on a project. Recognize that “more” is not necessarily “better”—it is better to do a few things well than to do many things poorly.
• Use Appropriate Tools: Use technology appropriately. There were no computers and virtual reality in colonial Williamsburg, for example. Using this kind of technology in exhibits could detract from visitors’ experience and leave inaccurate information with visitors.
• Community Interaction: Partner and stay in communication with the local community, historical society, or museum. Your community members and organizations may be your biggest supporters in the form of funding or volunteers.
• Be Open to Change: Be willing to recognize that change may need to happen to provide a better tourist experience. Frequently change the exhibits, the tour, or experiential activities.

Continue researching the information, call in different experts for unique perspectives on historical topics.

The use of these core concepts will help ensure a credible, authentic, and consistently positive experience for the cultural and heritage traveler. Sticking to these best practices will ensure that the local community receives economic benefits and increased interest in their community without negatively impacting the community’s natural and cultural resources.

Dwyer, C. (2023, December 13). What Is Heritage Tourism? Tourist Secrets. https://www.touristsecrets.com/travel-tips/what-is-heritage-tourism/

Franklin, D., Overholser, L., & McHale, E. (2011). Cultural Heritage Tourism: Best Practices and Key Concepts for Regional Initiatives. Open Access. https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/14259

Grand View Research. (2022). Heritage Tourism Market Size & Share Report, 2022-2030. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/heritage-tourism-market-report

Place Economics. (2020, January). Twenty-Four Reasons Historic Preservation is Good for Your Community. https://www.placeeconomics.com/resources/twenty-four-reasons-historic-preservation-is-good-for-your-community/

Rypkema, D. R., Cheong, C., & Mason, R. F. (2011, November). Measuring Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/guidance/2018-06/Economic%20Impacts%20v5-FINAL.pdf 

U.S. Department of the Interior. (Accessed 2023). National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/archeology/national-historic-preservation-act.htm

Wulf, K. (2020, May 14). How Historic Preservation Shaped the Early United States. Smithsonian.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-historic-preservation-shaped-early-united-states-180974871/