Caring for Our Heritage

Heritage defines our culture; it tells us who we are. Historic buildings are an important part of that heritage. They symbolize our common past and stir great interest. Neighborhoods that grew up over time are simply more appealing and varied than neighborhoods that were built all at once. And, preserving historic buildings makes sense economically, as the popularity of heritage tourism clearly demonstrates. Additionally, preservation satisfies an emotional need. Historic buildings give us a sense of place, contribute much to the enjoyment of life and, hence, are of great value to society.

Despite its benefits, heritage seems to be valued more highly in Europe than in the United States. As early as 1830 France appointed an Inspector of Historic Monuments and conducted an inventory of all its old buildings. The French government then established a protective program for these buildings and made demolition a crime. In Britain, private organizations were involved in preservation by the 1850s. British preservation philosophy focused on historic house museums, and the 1890s saw the creation of a private National Trust to acquire and protect important resources. Sweden contributed a new approach to preservation -- the outdoor museum -- in the 1890s. In the twentieth century concern for heritage grew worldwide. Today even third world countries to preserve their cultural icons, and organizations like the International Council on Monuments and Sites work to protect the world's cultural and natural resources.

The U.S. preservation movement has always had to rely primarily upon private initiative and philanthropy to accomplish its goals. For many years women and affluent men led the crusade, which aimed to save buildings associated with specific heroes or events for patriotic and educational purposes. Today preservation has evolved into a broad grassroots effort supported by specially trained professionals at the federal, state, and sometimes the local level, as well as by enthusiastic volunteers. Its concerns have broadened to include economic, environmental, and quality of life issues. And, preservation in America is no longer confined just to the homes of important historic figures. It now includes structures symbolizing the history of the common man, buildings important for their own artistic merit, and residential and commercial neighborhoods composed of older buildings.

In Louisiana, many historic buildings survived because their owners had no money to change or replace them after the Civil War. Fortunately, wealthy citizens began restoring important plantation houses as private residences in the early years of the twentieth century. The city of New Orleans took the first official step toward preservation in the state when it adopted a historic district ordinance for the Vieux Carre (French Quarter) in 1937. At about the same time, photographers employed by the federal government began photographing historic buildings in New Orleans and along the River Road. By the 1950s and 1960s, handsome books with high quality images depicting Louisiana's architectural legacy were available. The Louisiana Landmarks Society formed in 1950, long before the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the American Bicentennial celebration gave rise to broad support for historic preservation. Today many types of buildings located in every part of the state are recognized as worthy of preservation either because of their architectural merit or because of the history with which they are associated. The Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation is working hard to recognize and preserve these resources. We hope you will join us.