How to Save Historic Properties and Landmarks

In an era of ever-tightening fiscal belts, America's historic and cultural relics are in danger of disappearing due to decay and encroaching development. That turn-of-the-century home, the trading post that marked a pioneer's passage or the magnificent architectural treasure in a city's heart all tell stories of the area's heritage. The personal dedication of private donors and watchdogs is key to preserving these priceless treasures.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

1. Contact your state historical society, preservation group or library to find out what preservation projects are under way and how you can help.
2. Research the history of your community. Seek out residents whose families have lived in the town for generations and ask about the history of your town and its early inhabitants. Visit museums that house community archives or inquire at city hall.
3. Determine if there is anything historic at risk of being razed or developed: significant properties, prominent landmarks such as monuments, historic routes and even venerable trees.
4. Dig into the details at SaveAmericasTreasures.org. Contact town officials or state preservation groups to see if there is a landmarks committee or other preservation group you can join. If there isn't, assess what guidelines your town has for historic preservation.
5. Rally neighbors and friends to join you in saving a site or an artifact. See 373 Plan an Organizational Meeting.
6. Start your own historical society if your town doesn't have one, or join forces with one in a neighboring town.
7. Remember that marketing is key: Write a piece featuring facts, figures and old photos to hand out (see 165 Produce a Newsletter). Contact the local newspaper and television station (see 372 Publicize an Event).
8. Raise money. Your group may need to fund-raise aggressively (see 381 Plan a Fund-Raising Event) to save properties in danger of being destroyed. Or hold an auction at which the public can bid on a building to salvage it--or purchase it outright.
9. Encourage the schools and teachers in your community to take an interest in historic landmarks. Help set up field trips to nearby sites and assist in furnishing appropriate teaching materials to ignite students' interest. See 276 Plan a Field Trip.
10. Contact Preserve America (preserveamerica.gov), a government organization that rewards communities by giving them a special designation for preserving historic resources.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply for grants and loans to help in your preservation efforts. Contact preservation agencies and organizations, as well as government officials, for more information.
• Take advantage of Historic Preservation Month each May with an event to raise awareness of your project.
• Physical structures such as monuments, homes and other buildings aren't the only relics that are at risk. Historic books, documents and musical and spokenword recordings also need preservation.
• Historic preservation designation limits construction and renovation to keep areas and buildings in historic condition. Check with your city as to what you can and can't do to a property.

Who Can Help: