Historic Preservation ENRICHES the Community

When preserved, old buildings bring value to a city, hold the power to strengthen a community, and are infinitely more interesting than what we typically tend to build today. The historic buildings (and the people in Columbia who enjoy them) create our sense of place--our unique and irreplaceable college town aesthetic! You can breathe their significance. Our quality of life here is no doubt enhanced by these symbols and structures. They are our connection to the past, and at the same time help to create our current sense of belonging. Today’s preservation efforts will forever enrich future generations. In a world where new buildings tend to resemble each other, a historic building stands out and shines, especially when you gain the story behind it. Historic buildings have a unique identity that can not be recreated. In her article, “Six Practical Reasons to Save Old Buildings,” Julia Rocchi wondered, “Is it the warmth of the materials, the heart pine, marble, or old brick―or the resonance of other people, other activities? Maybe older buildings are just more interesting. The different levels, the vestiges of other uses, the awkward corners, the mixtures of styles, they’re at least something to talk about. America’s downtown revivals suggest that people like old buildings. Whether the feeling is patriotic, homey, warm, or reassuring, older architecture tends to fit the bill. Regardless of how they actually spend their lives, Americans prefer to picture themselves living around old buildings” (Rocchi, 2015).

Historic buildings are deeply ingrained in the arts and vast world of entertainment. They have inspired masterpieces, artists and authors for centuries. “The spaces in which we live and work can have an astounding effect on our productivity and behavior. If a business owner seeks to maximize productivity, acquiring a heritage building will be a great way to do that... Not only do they spark intrigue, but step inside, and a feeling of tranquility, calm, and focus will bestow you. Imagination springs to life and will most likely result in some of your finest work to date”(Lea).

If historic walls could talk, the stories they could share would tell us what our community used to like, helping us understand who we are today, and even what we could become in time. Thoughtful renovations to historic spaces enhance them, and make them a safe option, but to tear them down erases part of our precious history. The alternative to preservation is destruction, and a one-way street that can never be traveled again. Once a historic building is gone, it is gone forever. There is no “replacing” the educational opportunities and inspiration it once brought us. Historic buildings honor our heritage and to preserve them is the very definition of smart growth. Enjoy one of our local historic buildings today and capture a moment in time for your pure enjoyment!

Explore the sources below to learn more about how historic preservation Conserves the Environment, Boosts the Economy and Enriches the Community.

Sources

Lea, M. (2023b). 10 Reasons to Protect Historic Buildings (Explained). Architect Two Cents. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

Rocchi, J. (2015). Six Practical Reasons to Save Old Buildings (By National Trust for Historic Preservation).Retrieved May 1, 2023.