Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Greenest building is the one already built - Historic Preservation



Preservation is knowing the history of your old house, your neighborhood, or the places nearby.

Do you know when your house was built? Or who established your neighborhood? One of the best ways to get involved in preservation is to delve into the history of your community.


Here are a few ideas to get you started exploring the history around you:


  • Visit your local library to research historic tax and property records for your house. You might uncover some hidden mysteries, like clues to who the first owners were, subsequent previous occupants, whether changes were made to the original structure, historic maps of the surrounding neighborhood, and even old photos.
  • Get in contact with your State Historic Preservation Office. They’ll be able to tell you about local preservation laws that protect the outside of your house, offer assistance in restoring or preserving your home, and provide more information about current preservation projects in your state.
  • Visit the National Register of Historic Places, maintained by the National Park Service, to find out about other historic houses, neighborhoods, destinations, and more in your area.
It can be easy to find a personal connection to preservation when you start just by looking around you.

Or, if you’re looking to make a change, buying a historic home is a great way to become a part of your city’s story.