history of historic preservation in the U S

The history of historical preservation is over one hundred and fifty years old and its influence has expanded from a single home at Mount Vernon to the present day in which there are now more than 12 ,000 historical districts whose names can be found on the National Registry and thus , are afforded certain protections from zealous builders business men and politicians who would seek to erase this country 's history in to obtain a larger profit . For the people who do not like history , yet like to be entertained with stories of

excitement and intrigue , yet do not believe that history can provide any of that , and believe that the subject is made up entirely of dates and dead people it only makes it that much more necessary for the preservation of this country 's living history ' be preserved . And this does not mean that unless an individual can duplicate the restoration seen at Mount Vernon by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association , is unable to contribute to the historical preservation of this country 's past . For anyone who can take a neglected piece of furniture and bring it back to its original splendor , or anyone who can make an old car run like it once did , in their own right , are all historic preservationists . For anyone who cares about the past and wants it to live again in the heart and minds of an increasingly apathetic society towards anything that occurred before they or even their parents were born , exponentially increases the importance of the preservation of this country 's historical sites . And with an increasing vigor , Americans have agreed with this assertion and taken the steps to not only preserve and protect for future appreciation , certain sites of an historical importance , but have also enacted laws in to save for posterity as well as setting a precedent , of government involvement and funding towards these most worth while projects

The modern idea of historic preservation began in 1853 with the restoration of Mount Vernon , the home of George Washington while he was President and in the years after . Since Washington 's death in 1799 , the house had fallen into disrepair . The Mount Vernon Ladies Association and its leader Ann Pamela Cunningham were formed and efforts were started to help save this most important historical site from the raves of time ' Gillespie , John . 2001 . The History of Historic Preservation . Chicago : University of Chicago Press

. 122 In 1853 , very little of what remained at the home was formerly the possession of Washington . Not only was the house brought back to its original condition , but many of the relics that had left Mount Vernon in years past , were returned . Ever since then , not only has the Mount Vernon Ladies Association brought Mount Vernon back to its original splendor the efforts helped to spread across the country , the need for preserving aspects of this country 's past , that once , lost , is many times lost forever

The national attention that the...