How do we do Historic Preservation?
Documentation
The first line of preservation is documentation, that way if the resource is lost, the documentation will remain. Survey results are frequently kept both in the community that conducted the study and deposited with the State Historic Preservation Office. This is an office, which receives funds from the Federal Government, whose purpose is to collect and preserve information on historic resources.
Preservationists work to identify historic resources and document their histories and importance to the community. Historic photographs, drawings, maps, deeds and other official documents, and the diaries, letters and account books of owners can help document the life of a resource. Preservationists create new documentation by photographing the current condition of buildings, recording changes being made, and by creating measured drawings and sketches.
- Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation (National Park Service Preservation Brief #35)
- Guide to Colorado's Historic Architecture and Engineering
Standards for Preservation
Best practices and guidelines for preserving and rehabilitating historic resources ensure that future generations can enjoy them.
Legislation
Through legislation, historic resources can also be preserved. National legislation includes the National Historic Preservation Act. This act, passed in 1966, establishes the National Register of Historic Places and protects buildings from adverse impact when federal dollars are involved in a project. While a resource can still be demolished under this act with federal funds, it does ensure that documentation will occur and that all attempts will be made to lessen the impact. State legislation includes the Colorado State Preservation Act, which is similar to the national legislation and establishes the State Register of Historic Places. There are other state laws that address preservation as well, such as the legalized gaming act that established the State Historical Fund, which is used to help people research, document and restore historic places throughout our state and to educate the public about historic resources. Local governments (cities and counties) also pass preservation regulations. These ordinances or resolutions tend to have more protection mechanisms than state or national acts. Frequently, these regulations protect the building from demolition and control the kind of changes that can be made to a building.
In order to encourage and reward those who participate in preservation, tax credits exist to help reduce the costs of restoration. There are tax credits on both the federal and state level. The federal credit is for "income producing" properties (apartments, stores, etc.) The state tax credit is available for homeowners.
National and local preservation organizations help identify emerging preservation policy issues and provide advice to lawmakers so that the value of historic resources are recognized in new legislation. Preservationists have helped introduce historic preservation and archeological survey requirements to federally funded construction and transportation projects and zoning that protects historic sites and designated historic districts in towns and cities.
- What is the National Historic Preservation Act?
- National Trust for Historic Preservation - Legal Advocacy
- Protecting Historic Properties: A Citizen's Guide to Section 106 Review
- Colorado Preservation Tax Credits
- National, State, and Local Resources
Education
Education is perhaps the most important tool used to preserve historic resources. Education includes encouraging preservation, teaching the proper methods for restoration or even educating government that it plays an important role in the community. Sharing the history of historic resources and encouraging visits (in person and virtual) is the best line of defense for keeping our historic built heritage.
Preservationists help the public understand the value of historic resources by offering educational opportunities to students, life-long learners, lawmakers, developers, and owners of historic buildings. Preservationists sponsor research that demonstrates historic preservation's value to our communties and encourages continued support of preservation intitiatives.
- Colorado's Main Streets Lessons
- Teaching with Historic Places
- Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification
- The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Colorado
How can I participate in historic preservation?
Private individuals play a key role in preservation. They established the first organizations that focus solely on preserving historic resources. They purchase properties and lovingly restore them. They offer to help others preserve their property. Most importantly, those who care about historic resources speak out when something is threatened with demolition and eventual loss.
Private citizens support historic preservation by taking interest in historic resources, following standards for rehabilitation and renovations, supporting local, state, and national historic preservation efforts, and by listing their historic properties with State and Federal Historic Register or through a local designation process.
