Why Preserve Historic Resources?

Preserving historic resources makes social, cultural and economic sense. In addition to providing continuity, character and a sense of place, the powerful economic impact of preservation was documented by the Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers University. Older buildings, well maintained, provide a rich and diverse array of affordable housing in our urban and suburban communities.

Long before these economic benefits were measured, the federal government recognized the need for a national program to support historic preservation. In 1966, Congress took steps to protect the nation's historic resource by passing The National Historic Preservation Act, creating the National Register of Historic Places. This Act also authorized the creation of state historic preservation programs throughout the country. In 1970, our state's historic preservation efforts were formalized with the passage of the New Jersey Register of Historic Places Act.

The Rutgers University study shows the wisdom of these measures in protecting our national heritage. Some of the benefits of historic preservation, as shown by the data, include the following annual figures:

  • More than 9 million tourists visit New Jersey's historic sites each year.
  • Heritage tourists spend $432 million annually.
  • Historic preservation creates more jobs in our state than the same dollar amount spent for new construction.
  • Jobs created by preservation generate $263 million in wages for workers every year.
  • Preservation projects generate approximately $215 million in state and local taxes.

An essential fact of historic preservation is that, unlike many other endeavors, its absence is often the most compelling argument for its existence. After an important historic resource is lost, people inevitably question why it wasn't saved. This common dilemma shows why we must identify and protect resources before they are threatened. Historic preservation is our collective responsibility, just as its benefits accrue to our collective good.

From Forging links with our past - Creating vision for our future, a publication of the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office.


Clinton Preservation | Why Preserve? | Dispelling the Myths | The Rutger's Study