Increasing public awareness of historic preservation in the
community requires a dynamic approach and multi-pronged initiative to be
successful. This article looks at
several ideas that can be used by historical commissions, advocacy groups and
municipalities to build value in their historic building stock and raise
awareness of historic structures in the community. Some of the recommended actions are
relatively involved, such as the creation of an annual Olde Towne Festival, and
require others from the community in the planning, coordination and execution of the plan. Others, such as the creation of social media
and websites, are low-hanging fruit: ready, accessible, inexpensive—often
free—methods to reach a wide audience quickly and easily. To increase public
awareness of the historic resources that contribute
directly to the heritage of their built environment, the people must develop a
connection with place. The following
ideas can be implemented by motivated individuals who are dedicated to promoting
the goals and objectives of increased public awareness of historic
preservation, largely without great expense or effort:
(1) Use of
social media and the internet to promote historic preservation The municipality’s website is the first free
opportunity to promote historic preservation and the organization. Additional links to social media and other
historic preservation-related web pages should be here. Having a presence on the internet is critical
to the successful promotion of and long-term participation in historic preservation in the community. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, WordPress, and
YouTube can be used to easily and effectively increase public awareness of historic
preservation and make the organization an accessible member of the community. WordPress offers a way to create an
inexpensive (or even free) website. The
new web page should also contain an active blog with frequent entries and
updates; this reinforces the sense of “presence” in the community. This is the
primary way to attract younger participants.
(2) Develop a
strong relationship with the media
Invite members of the mainstream media to events and meetings, issue
press releases, and provide photos for print media/web use. When an event or important meeting is
planned, promote it through local television news stations and newspapers and
invite them to attend. If a public
access channel exists it could be used to televise meetings. Some committees and commissions have created
YouTube channels to document and provide access to their meetings. The media
should be encouraged to “donate” space in their print publications for op-ed
articles about the importance of preservation in the community and regular
columns about local or regional history and the goings-on of historic preservation
in the community.
(3) Develop a
Historic Preservation Plan The Plan
serves as a ten (10) year action plan for historic preservation in the
municipality and is designed to serve as the historic preservation component of
a comprehensive master plan. In
Massachusetts, Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds can be used for a
historic preservation survey. The historical commission thereafter develops a
request for consultant services to develop a preservation plan, to include
consideration of historic landscapes. Consultants collect and assess the
inventory of information on historic resources, as well as local government’s
historic preservation tools (development rules and regulations). The consultants present the commission with a
summary of their findings and preliminary recommendations regarding the
historic inventory. Next, the public
participation phase solicits community input concerning local historic
preservation efforts and preservation priorities. Public comment is sought in three ways: surveys,
interviews and public forums. Based on
the results of the public participation phase, the commission works with the
consultants to refine a draft Preservation Plan which is then presented to
several boards and committees for comment.
Finally, after any necessary edits and revisions, the Historic
Preservation Plan is completed and approved.
(4) Create
public education programs These can
include all manner of events and the production of materials for
attendees. . Guest speakers from the
private sector are available to speak on a variety of topics related historic
preservation and public history. These
programs could be conducted in the historic structures, themselves, so that
attendees develop a connection to the buildings and an appreciation for them. Speakers do no not have to focus on esoteric
topics alone. They can increase
awareness and encourage materials conservation:
“Saving and restoring the windows on your old house,” or, “How to
improve the energy efficiency of your home,” or, “Tricks for the repair and
restoration of your old house.” In
addition to advertising through the media and internet, physically post
advertisements for the events at Lowe’s, Home Depot and other home centers to
attract local home owners and DIY’ers.
Creating partnerships with such commercial entities may also produce
sponsorship in the form of materials and funding for these and other events.
(5) Present
awards to community members for preservation efforts Publicly recognize homeowners that restore
vintage structures or a local citizen or elected official who advocates for
historic preservation in the community. No static number each year, just an
annual recognition of those who make the effort. It’s about instilling pride in place;
buildings are the tangible objects that represent that place. Use it as an opportunity to identify other
historic preservation-minded members of the community and encourage them to get
involved.
(6) Sponsor
and stage public events Create an
annual event that brings the entire community together for a weekend
celebration. Take advantage of parks and
open spaces next to historic buildings and stage a portion inside. Perhaps an annual pumpkin festival with dunking
booth or a travelling carnival with bake sale inside the building. All of these events would have an information
booth with print media items. A more
ambitious endeavor would be to create an annual Olde Towne Festival in the Fall
with a series of events all at the different historic properties: an amusement park rides at the old school
house and bake/craft sale inside; an involved haunted house created in art
classes and staffed by school kids at the old village hall; and, a book sale
and police-sponsored kid ID program at the library. ‘Olde Towne' days starts with a parade at the
elementary school and ends at the park next to one of the historic buildings. The select board and other dignitaries form
at the review stand (on the front porch of yet another historic building,
perhaps the town hall) as various local sports teams and civic organizations
march by—and don’t forget the fire engines. During the festival, coordinate and offer a
tour of old homes with proud members of the public and offer informative tours
of the historic buildings that speak to the history and architecture of the
structures. Through these experiences
and association people will realize an intrinsic value in the structures as
they become a part of the memories that they form.
(7) Partner
with the school district Create low cost field trips to these buildings for the
town’s school children that will enable them to develop an early appreciation
for their community’s history as represented by the structures that define its
built heritage.
(8) Create
local historic districts The Massachusetts Historical Commission provides a
guidebook on how the municipality can pass a by-law or ordinance consistent
with MGL 40C to create local historic districts. In Massachusetts they don’t allow an
individual building to be landmarked—they allow the town to create districts
with only one building in them. The
organization should advocate for the creation of local historic districts that
include the applicable buildings owned by the municipality. There will be no public outcry from citizens
who think they’ll be told what color to paint their houses. The creation of the local historic districts
should be covered by the media to demonstrate how protecting historic
structures can be harmless and pain-free.
Local districts can be expanded to include additional buildings when
others want to be a part of it. Churches are generally enthusiastic because
their members have strong memories and pride in place—they like the idea of the
building being there forever.
(9) Hire a
public relations consultant or seek donated services of same Increasing public awareness for historic
preservation is not a full time job.
However, a public relations consultant could be a cost effective way to
plan strategies for promoting historic preservation as time and budget allow. The members of the community who will execute
this plan to increase public awareness of historic preservation are all
volunteers. Retaining the services of a
PR consultant, from time to time, is an effective way to turn ideas into action
as budgets allow. (10) Partner with State and Local Organizations Form a bond with historic preservation resources such as colleges and universities as well as the state historic preservation office by sponsoring guest lectures and local and regional tours and encouraging participation by residents in the many free historic preservation-related offerings available from these organizations. Sponsoring can be as simple as organizing, advertising (i.e., on the website and printed flyers) and providing space for the presentations.
(11) Contact
and pool resources with other similar organizations Learn what others are doing to promote
historic preservation. See what commonalities are shared. Promotion of historic
preservation could be jointly produced to take advantage of regional talents
and make limited resources go further.
Go regional.
(12) Consider
establishing a historic signage program
This is a simple way to promote historic preservation, demonstrate pride
of place and educate the community about its heritage. Start with municipal
properties. Establish appropriate criteria to encourage private participation.
Increasing public awareness of historic preservation in the
community requires a dynamic approach and multi-pronged initiative to be
successful. The ideas in this article
can be implemented without great expense or effort by a dedicated team. Historical commissions, advocacy groups and
municipalities can build value in their historic building stock and raise
awareness of historic structures in the community. Increased public awareness of the historic
resources that contribute directly to the heritage of the built environment can
be had if people develop a connection with place. It’s about instilling pride
in place; buildings are the tangible objects that represent that place.
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