Government Role in Historic Preservation
Chapter 1: History of Historic Preservation, Page 2 of 4
During the mid-20th century, the federal government's role with historic resources expanded. This role initially focused on preservation, but later shifted toward demolition in the name of "urban renewal."
Preservation Becomes National Policy
The role of the federal government in historic preservation expanded in 1935 when Congress passed the Historic Sites Act. This act officially proclaimed the preservation of historic resources as national policy. It defined such resources as historic sites, buildings, and objects, and referred only to those of national significance.
The law authorized the Secretary of the Interior to do three key things:
- Conduct surveys and research
- Acquire and restore historic sites
- Educate the public regarding historic properties
National Trust for Historic Preservation is Formed
Historical organizations at state and local levels also continued to grow, and in 1949 a congressional charter formed the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The new organization had three initial goals:
- Manage sites of national significance
- Stimulate public involvement
- Provide educational programs
Economic Boom Creates Challenges
The economic boom of the 1950s brought substantial challenges to historic preservation. A building boom accompanied the brisk economy, and building trends shifted toward modern, sleek, and suburban. Governments, businesses, and individuals spent their energy and finances on "new" architecture while the old was either destroyed or ignored.
In addition to the building boom, "white flight" to the suburbs removed the much-needed economic base out of urban neighborhoods, which began to deteriorate rapidly. Government urban renewal programs aimed to clean up inner cities by demolishing "run down" areas and building modern highrises to accommodate the poor. The Housing Act of 1949 established the use of federal monies for the purchase and clearance of urban areas. As a result, entire neighborhoods in some cities were destroyed.
The development of the modern interstate highway system also took a toll on historic properties. The impact of highway development on historic structures was not a consideration at the time of their construction, and many resources were lost in the process.