How Can We Fix This?

One of the interesting aspects about social media, when you look beyond the politics, hate speech, self promotion and food pictures, is how it can connect people in ways that were practically impossible before the Internet. Obviously, this creates opportunities for negative and even dangerous scenarios, but at the same time it makes it possible to connect people through text and images in ways that enable a great deal of sharing of knowledge, or at least what people think is knowledge. I could spend plenty of time talking about how much fake knowledge is out there, but to me that isn't necessarily because of the existence of the World Wide Web, as that it can now be so much more easily distributed.

I don't know when, or even if I would, have started a Facebook account had I not been asked to as part of my responsibilities as the executive director of the Preservation Trades Network. That situation had a certain comfort level to it because I wasn't really out there as just me, but as the representative of an organization. The fact that I no longer have that job but am still active on Facebook must mean I perceive some value in it, and in fact I do. Part of that value is being able to join groups, some open and some closed, where I can communicate with people with interests similar to my own. One of those groups is the Historical Timber Framing, Traditional Building and Architecture Group where interesting posts and queries happen, but also where sad truths about the fate of much of our architectural heritage are often exposed.

On a regular basis, posts appear seeking help in keeping a Colonial home, a log cabin or some other example of historic architecture from being demolished for development. Clearly this demolition is not caused by the internet or social media, but it does make people more aware of it. I bet I'm speaking for many people reading this when I say that each time I look at a picture of another historic building about to be lost, I am both saddened and angered. Part of the sadness comes from knowing how many people have been speaking about this issue and how little it has affected the continuation of so much loss. Donovan Rypkema has been telling us for decades that conservation of historic neighborhoods is both economically and socially viable, and more often than not profitable. With the Green Movement was in full swing, Carl Elefante was quick to remind us that "the greenest building is the one that's already built." It's not that the message has not been out there, it's that it hasn't done enough good.

There have been attempts in the past for the government to become involved, including the Antiquities Act of 1906, and the Historic Sites Act of 1935. The National Historic Preservation Act [NHPA] of 1966 passed when I was a junior in high school. The NHPA was the most significant of the three and led to the creation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, but that has not brought about any legislation that actually has the teeth to save our historic architecture. Rather, we have seen recommendations and guidelines created, the most recognizable, although not necessarily the most understandable, being the Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Preservation, which the National Park Service has taken the lead in deciphering and putting into usable publications. But all of that said, there is no real protection for our historic building stock which arguably is one of our greatest assets.

For decades I have been involved with nonprofit organizations with a focus on traditional trades and traditional buildings, and in my role as a member of the board of directors or as an executive director of each, I have always been taken aback by how many people come to those organizations looking for suggestions and financial help to take care of their historic buildings, but the unfortunate truth is that there is little to nothing available to point them to. The Historic Preservation Tax Credit is of almost no value to most people, because even if they can afford to hire someone to submit the voluminous application paperwork, the chances are far too high that their historic building won't meet the qualifications. Unfortunately many people end up feeling that the tax credit is a carrot on a stick, rather than something obtainable.

I'm not saying nothing is being done, but I do feel more and more that the situation is similar to the lack of initiative to head off climate change. Many people and organizations have a focus that includes protection of the built environment, but it isn't enough. And I don't feel it's because no one wants to help be part of the changes that are needed, but it does look like there are an awful lot of us are out there with our heads in the sand. The likelihood, like the inaction on climate change initiatives, is not that we stuck our heads there to hide from the challenge of conservation. Rather, many of us are so focused on what we see as important that that's where our heads are stuck and the sand has built up around us. What I do believe is it is very hard to see over the horizon from that position, making seeing the goals of conservation through social networking difficult to discern.

So, how can we fix this? Honestly, I don't know. What I do know is there are an awful lot of people out there with high standards, significant amounts of knowledge in conservation work, and a sincere interest in the preservation and utilization of ancient ways of building. I also know there are people out there who understand that the building that is most likely to survive is the one that is useful. I have had too many experiences with real estate professionals who don't see the value in historic buildings and only see the value of the land they sit on. If we were able to better use our newfound ability to communicate for something other than being oversaturated with information, we might be able to recognize a way to start building a future for our old buildings. Maybe we need to make a concerted effort to introduce the people we know to the people we meet. Maybe we can begin to create sustainability through connectivity.

6/28/2019 Rudy R. Christian