Historic Preservation

Buildings and environments represent the heritage of earlier generations and share the history of past people, cultures, societies, technologies, crafts, and economies. Therefore, these structures and places are considered historic. How can you tell if a building is historical? Most historical buildings or places may have a plaque or sign marking the year it was built and possibly talk about its history. This is the first indicator that could help identify if a building is historic. Normally these signs are placed in front, beside, or even on a historical site so that it is visible. Others may display plaques, or signs, declaring that a place is registered by an organization as being historic. 

Depending on your continent, the historic places represent human evolution and migration. Some sites are archaeological digs uncovering living in centuries past. Others are monuments like the Great Pyramids on the Nile, built as tombs thousands of years ago. You may live in a newer country with a recorded history of only the past 400 years. The challenge in this activity is to understand the time frame of human existence in your surroundings. Who were the original Indigenous peoples? How did they live? What still exists? Finding historic buildings in your neighborhood is easy. Just take a walk and look around to find buildings that appear older either by their appearance or by weathering. Buildings that are at least fifty years old often contain history, and stories of past lives, and may mark significant events. Older Buildings often display traditional craft, ornamentation, and carved or sculpted details around windows, doors, columns, or roof edges. Find two buildings that look historic. Photograph or draw them and label key details that make you think they are historic.

Landmarks are neighborhoods, buildings, objects, and cultural landscapes that capture our imagination and stand out as chapters from the past. These structures and environments represent the heritage of past generations. Their history is our history. Their history is your history. Depending on your country, and your city, the age of past civilizations varies. Take a look at where you live. Where are the oldest neighborhoods, buildings, monuments, and cultural landscapes in your community?

Landmarks tell stories of past peoples and events; they are essential cultural elements in cities that have endured over time and are recognized by multiple generations. They speak to what life was like and what it is now and inform the present architecture that is added. Landmark buildings are structures recognized locally, by the state, nationally, and sometimes even internationally. Find landmarks in your city. Make a map of their locations and on the map place photographs or pictures of the landmarks. Be sure to add the title of your city, a North arrow on the map, and the names of each historic landmark.

Research the history of landmarks and you will learn about the history of where you live. Make a poster map of your city with photographs of the major landmark buildings. Share it with your class. Upload it to the NEXT.cc Gallery.

The Historic Sites Survey and National Historic Landmarks Program offers significant resources to start researching a building.

University and public libraries are also good places to start. Look up a site by its address or its name.. If the building or public space has been heavily modified, it’s possible it won’t be included. Databases like the United States Landmark Commission directly identify and provide history about historic places and are also good places to start your research.

If you know the historic name, architect, or date of construction, try a pro-quest search of local newspapers. They may yield information about the function or use, the historical form, the technology used, the building’s role in the neighborhood, who built it, and even perhaps why it was made. It might also provide information about when it was planned, and completed, and how much it cost.

Construction drawings of historical projects are archived in various places. Some architecture firms keep archives. Local History Museums, various university collections, public libraries, and historical archives offer possibilities for research.

Find a building that interests you in your city and research its history, significance, architect, and year of construction. Upload your research and a drawing to the gallery!

Some places are designated as historic neighborhoods or districts. These areas are full of many buildings recognized for their historical significance, endurance, the character of building languages or styles, contribution to the quality of life, and connections with area identity, even if the identity changed over time. Historic neighborhoods might be abandoned or thriving with third to tenth generations stewarding them. A flourishing historic district is visible when walking around and through it. Take a look at NEXT.cc’s Cultural Walks Journey and see how neighborhoods can be enriched with history and cultural artifacts. It exudes a sense of stewardship, care, and service to multiple generations. The historic district that has been abandoned looks sad, empty, and often full of housing that is falling apart. Even the abandoned neighborhood is worth saving as, at one time, it supported a thriving community. That healthy community can return with the right amount of encouragement and investment.  Look at these series of sketches and stories about historic China Towns in the United States. Locate a Historic neighborhood in your city and research and document its history.

• 1. Reusing existing buildings can be more sustainable than building new ones
  • True
  • False
• 2. What is preserved for its great significance in the past and holds high cultural or historical value for the present and the future?
  • 1. Bus stops
  • 2. Grocery Stores
  • 3. Landmarks
  • None of the Above
• 3. Select all that can be historically preserved.
  • Buildings
  • Neighborhoods
  • Landmarks
  • Monuments
  • All of the above
• 4. What makes a building historical?
  • Size, Shape, and Height
  • Amount of windows, roof shingles, and doors
  • Ornamentation, sculptural details, over fifty years old, and cultural significance
  • How it looks, where it’s located, and what the weather is
• What group was the first historic preservation organization in the United States?
  • Historic Preservationists of the Americas
  • Mount Vernon Ladies Association
  • Restore, Preserve, and Protect Buildings Committee
  • None of the Aabove
• What does UNESCO stand for?
  • United Nations Evaluation Services and Calculation Offices
  • United Nations Evaluation Services and Climate Offices
  • United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
  • None of the Above
• What does UNESCO do in the role of Preservation?
  • Preserves built and natural sites of world significance
  • Researches building’s and nothing else
  • Claims landmarks that are not important
  • Tears down old important buildings