As this is the first issue of this newsletter blog, I thought I would spend a few moments writing down my thoughts on why I started Preservation News, and what it is really all about.
Throughout my career, I have met several people who actively support the preservation of their community through a variety of roles; elected officials, local historians, docents, businessmen and concerned citizens to name a few. Each one of these local activists did what they were doing with the single minded purpose of preserving the artifact or history collection that they were interested in, most without regard to the personal sacrifice. These poeple are my heros. I wanted to find a way to show the world how important their work really was, and to highlight their accomplishments. I think that these stories are not told often enough; they can provide a source of ideas and hope to others who wish to focus on preservation in their own communities.
In order to do that, I created this newsletter. The newsletter is not affliated with any program. My purpose is to highlight effective programs, grants, caretakers, historians, volunteers, and anyone and everyone who has a positive impact on the preseveration of local history in any form.
Another goal of this newsletter is to give professional viewpoints on historic preservation, how it fits in with sustainable practices of community development, and how historic preservation can be used as an economic development revitalization tool. “Traditional neighborhood development,” and “new urbanism” is, after all, based on the New England archetypes present in our communities.
I believe the power of historic preservation lies within each of us, and regardless of whether programs are supported with a grant or santioned by a particular organization. Just like an old house, there is always something that we can do, and this is part of the charm that it holds over us. And finally, this newsletter will highlight successful adaptive re-use projects, successful integrated new construction, unique historic sites to visit, and highlight buildings that are threatened by demolition and neglect.
I also believe that the history of the individual communities, buildings, structures, and natural areas belong to every one of us, regardless of our municipal boundaries or location. My personal passion lies with historical collections, and one of the reasons why I began a career in historic preservation and planning is to help to preserve those resources, and support their continued access by the general public. So, when I’ve got a few moments of my own, I like to quietly slip off to a historical society or the history collection of a local library so I can flip through pages of old manuscripts, books, deeds, and picture collections that tell the story of a community and the people who built it.
Equally as important as these historic documents is the continued support of the history created in the built environment, whether it is a park, monument, bridge or building. The spirit of those that passed before us lives on in everything that we preserve. I imagine if they look in on us, they are pleased when their creations are still put to good use. Looking at these creations inspire me to create something that will be useful to future generations.
With warm regards,
Susan Roth, AICP
About the author:
Susan Roth, AICP is an professional consulting planner and architectural historian working and living in the Hudson Valley for 14 years, where she makes her home with her husband and son. She has a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and a Master's in Regional and City Planning. She is the owner of Hudson Valley Planning and Preservation, and the founder/managing editor of this blog.
