EZ
Content Blueprint
Why
We Preserve
STANDARDS:
The
material in this unit may be used to address the following Social
Studies Standards:
H-1C-E4
|
C-1D-M2 |
C-1D-M4 |
H-1C-H15 |
C-1D-H3 |
H-1C-M18
|
C-1D-M3 |
C-1D-M5 |
C-1D-H1 |
|
ECONOMIC
REASONS TO PRESERVE
Historic
buildings and sites are among the most popular tourist destinations
in our nation. For every dollar spent at a historic site, several
more dollars are spent at restaurants, hotels/motels, and shops
in nearby communities. This is especially important for Louisiana,
which does not have competing tourism resources such as ocean beaches
or mountain scenery.
Preserving
buildings is good for the ecology and the environment. Buildings
contain natural and man-made resources like wood, stone, mortar
and steel. They also contain the design, craftsmanship, and transportation
energy used by the people and machines which constructed them. When
historic buildings are destroyed, more of our natural resources
and high-cost energy must be used to replace them.
Old buildings
are often made of better materials, display better workmanship,
and are stronger and roomier than new construction. "The average
minimum standard mid-20th century house, concludes the . . . National
Trust, is certainly no match in general soundness to the average
19th century house."
New construction
inflicts hidden costs (costs for providing roads, utilities, police
and fire protection, etc.) upon society. This infrastructure already
exists in historic areas.
Historic
houses provide affordable residences for workers, and historic commercial
buildings also provide space at lower costs than new construction
(i.e., the price per square foot is lower).
Preserving
and rehablitating buildings creates jobs. In fact, they require
more workers and craftsmen than does the construction of new buildings.
ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL REASONS TO PRESERVE
Historic
buildings often possess a degree of artistic value and architectural
richness which is no longer obtainable. Simply put, we cannot get
the quality of materials or workmanship any more.
In every
nation and every community, there is a need for a tangible past.
Historic buildings meet this need, reinforce our group identity,
and confirm our shared national heritage and the continuity of our
culture.
Historic
buildings provide insight into a community's aspirations, history
and development.
Historic
buildings provide us with a sense of locality, i.e., a feeling that
our place is special and different from other places. "If everything
were modern, everywhere would look pretty much the same."
Historic
buildings are "visual resources for teaching knowledge and
skills. They are visual resources which students of all ages can
experience, study and evaluate first hand.
PSYCHOLOGICAL REASONS TO PRESERVE
"Historic
buildings offer a richer source of environmental well-being than
contemporary architecture, concludes a large scale study of English
preferences." In addition, they provide alternatives to unimaginative,
undistinguished, and unexciting environments.
Historic
buildings confirm and enhance one's individual identity because
one's experiences and memories are often tied to specific places.
Historic
buildings help people escape from the stress and worry of modern
times.
Historic
buildings provide a reassuring sense of permanance, security, stability
and belonging in a world of unfamiliar environments caused by massive
change.
Historic
buildings help us stay in touch with our roots despite our tendency
to move on average every five years.
