The preservation of a variety of historic elements in our landscape provides a fundamental, tangible link to ourselves. By retaining our precious historic resources, we have the opportunity to view and understand who we have been in the past and how that translates to who we are today, while shedding light on where we might be going.   In this day of throw away culture and transitory development, historic resources provide a sense of relationship and stability to our environment.
It is the ultimate in recycling and the honoring of our culture and society.

Historic can be defined in many different ways. Often it is simply a matter of the age of a resource. However, historic might relate to the uniqueness or rarity of an object or, perhaps, its significance as it relates to an event or person in history.

Explore these sites to see how the concept ‘historic’ might be applied:

• National Trust
• National Park Service

Historic preservation means the rehabilitation and redevelopment of important community landscapes. The list of successful downtown revitalization projects directly related to historic preservation is extensive and well documented. It involves community partnerships that lead to the rehabilitation and adaptive use of historic buildings that are useful, profitable, and full of character. Revitalization translates to community pride, jobs and further reinvestment. Cost savings accrue as existing infrastructure is retained. In addition, a community historic preservation program of activities provides a wide range of economic opportunities related to heritage tourism.

There a many resources available to learn about historic preservation. Starting points include:

• The Department of the Interior - National Park Service
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation
• The Georgia Historic Preservation Division
• The Preservation Directory

Yes.  Workshops, conferences, and seminars are constantly being held that provide direct opportunities to learn and explore the many aspects of historic preservation. Our site provides a listing of some of these links.

While there is no over flowing pot of money ready to save all the historic resources in need of protection there are funding programs available for qualified recipients.
A web search will reveal many of these. Go to the Georgia Historic Preservation Division to check out some of what is available at the state level. Be inventive in your searches. Don’t forget private philanthropic sources as you explore opportunities.

Your state’s SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) is the best place to find help when looking to take advantage of valuable federal, state and local tax incentive programs. In Georgia, the Historic Preservation Division manages many aspects of these programs. Look here for more information.