Historic Preservation is a tool for cultural sustainability. Its methods and policy can aid the cultural vitality of communities. Historic Preservation can help to nourish our cultural landscapes. It can also be a tool for social justice.

While Historic Preservation can do a lot to ensure our community spaces are protected, sometimes preservation is disconnected from the communities its policies are meant to serve. It is perceived that only when a precious structure linked to important history is on the verge of collapse, after years of dilapidation, do preservationists swoop in to save our historic structures. The perception of preservation is that it is overbearing, too restrictive, elitist, and reactionary.

Too often, historic preservation happens to communities instead of with communities.

Preservation can be as simple as helping to recognize and retain those story sites that characterize Kentucky’s diverse communities.

We do this through storytelling. Communities can tell preservationists what places are of cultural value. When preservationists and local governments know sites that communities value, they are better equipped to provide guidance and support. When people make their stories known to a larger audience, this shows that there is a need for private-citizen funding where preservation officials can offer support.