What Historic Preservation and Why is it Important?

Figure 1:  North Front Street, September 2025. Photo by Author.

Historic preservation focuses on the built environment. The “built environment” is mainly buildings, but also includes bridges, cemeteries, sculptures, archaeological sites, among other things.

Historic preservation tends to be reactionary instead of proactive. As the saying goes, “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” This quote, attributed to the 1988 Joni Mitchell song in 1970, was actually in reference to man’s destruction of the natural world for modern conveniences, like parking lots.[i] Environmental conservation and historic preservation are different, but related fields. Both aim to protect resources that cannot be replaced. In a sense, significant historic buildings are similar to non-renewable resources. Once these buildings are demolished, they are gone forever.

Yes, some historic buildings do get rebuilt, sometimes years later; however, the materials and techniques used are often modern. The new building will never be the same as the demolished building. If the structural system of the building is frame, new growth lumber is distinctly different from old growth lumber and is an inferior product.

Beyond materiality, our surroundings are extremely important to culture and memory. Think about some of your most cherished memories; more than likely, these memories took place in some part of the built environment.

This article will answer the question: what are the benefits of historic preservation?

Sustainability

Sustainability has multiple meanings and can refer to practices that are better for the environment and/or better for long-term growth. In the environmental sense, wood windows are more sustainable than vinyl windows because wood windows can be repaired over time, piece by piece. In most cases, when vinyl windows are damaged, the entire window must be replaced. Wood will degrade over time and return to the soil. Vinyl, which is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), will break down into microplastics and leach chemicals into the environment. A 2023 study by Kudzin, Piwowarska, Festinger, and Chruściel states that,

“PVC is considered as the most environmentally damaging plastic and one of the most toxic substances for inhabitants of our planet. From cradle to grave, the PVC lifespan (production, use, and disposal) results in the release of toxic, chlorine-based chemicals. . .these toxins build up in water, air, and food chains. They cause severe health problems, including cancer, immune system damage, and hormone disruption. . . .Due to the slow rate of their biodegradation, all plastics can survive in the environment for centuries. It follows that microplastic pollution is a long-term problem.”[ii]

Vinyl is long-lasting in a sense because the microplastics will remain on the planet for centuries. Modern plastics were invented and grew in popularity over the past 150 years. The lasting effects of the degradation of these materials is still an ongoing study. Materials like wood, which humans have used for centuries longer than plastics, have known lifespans and degradation patterns. In many cases, restoring existing buildings is cheaper than demolishing these structures and building new housing on the same parcel, and keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills.[iii] Finding ways to reuse existing materials instead of depleting resources and energy for new construction materials is more environmentally-friendly.

Culture

The built environment is a direct and tangible connection to a community’s history. Local craftsman, one-of-a-kind materials, and unique features contribute to the character of historic buildings. The built environment makes up the background of everyday life. Culture, community, and historic preservation are tied together. Demolition of significant buildings or entire neighborhoods for new construction negatively impacts local culture and community identity, and may involve the displacement of residents.

The built environment is connected to people, events, and ideas. These connections may be viewed in a positive or negative light, but nonetheless represent some aspect of history and culture. The Broad Street Market is an incredibly important building in Harrisburg, mainly due to its long-standing status as a gathering place and food source. After the 2023 fire, the cultural importance of the Broad Street Market is clear.

Beauty

Beauty isn’t everything, but it is something. Beauty is subjective and ever-evolving. Even though opinions on what is beautiful differ from person to person and over time, historic buildings tend to fall into this category due to craftsmanship, ornamentation, or aesthetics. Countless people every year take walking tours that highlight local architecture around the world. Art museums host millions of annual visitors. The fact is that people enjoy artistry and beautiful spaces. Historic buildings fall into both categories.

Preserving the beauty of a community may sound superficial and unimportant; however, the benefits of beautiful spaces go deeper than just visual aesthetics. Multiple studies show that living near historic sites correlates to greater happiness.[iv]

Thompson Mayes, the vice president and senior counsel at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, appropriately stated in a 2014 article, “I think it’s important for people to live in beautiful communities every day, to be surrounded by beauty, and for it to be accessible to everyone, rich and poor. It’s good for people, and we shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about it and demand it.”[v]

Harrisburg has beautiful, unique, historic resources. The people of Harrisburg deserve to reap the benefits of these resources, which is why the upkeep and preservation of these resources is critical. Maintaining and preserving these resources benefits everyone who walks or drives down Harrisburg streets.

Heritage Tourism

Intact historic areas are a massive draw for tourism and extremely beneficial to the local economy. This area of tourism in which tourists visit areas for cultural or historical experiences is referred to as heritage tourism. Visiting a museum, taking an architectural walking tour, and attending a battle reenactment are just a few examples of heritage tourism; heritage tourism is a billion-dollar industry and beneficial to local economies.[vi]

Someone visiting the National Civil War Museum will likely stop by a local restaurant before leaving the area. Museums, battlefields, festivals, and other sites require staffing and thus the creation of jobs. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation explains that “a high percentage of domestic and international travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities while traveling, and those that do stay longer, spend more, and travel more often. Heritage tourism creates jobs and business opportunities, helps protect resources, and often improves the quality of life for local residents.”[vii] Retaining the appearance and charm of historic areas encourages tourists to spend additional time and money in the area, which benefits the local economy.

Value

Historic homes, and specifically homes within historic districts, tend to have higher and stable property values when compared to homes outside of historic districts. A study in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania investigated property values in and outside of the Hollidaysburg Historic District and concluded that the historic district had a “positive effect on the value of property in the district” and could “be viewed as a significant step in the physical and economic revitalization of the borough of Hollidaysburg.”[viii] A similar study in Baltimore, Maryland, compared home values over time within local historic districts, National Historic Districts, and the rest of the city. This study found that the average value of homes in local historic districts was consistently higher and more stable than homes in National Register Historic Districts only and the rest of the city.[ix]

This correlation could be due to a variety of reasons. Although architectural styles may vary throughout local historic districts, the majority of buildings within the districts are attractive displays of craftsmanship. Properties with curb appeal tend have higher property values than comparable properties in disrepair. The oldest portions of cities, and usually where local historic districts are, were made with the idea of walkability in mind. Walkable cities are attractive, and remain in high demand.[x] Local historic districts also protect investments into properties through the local regulations and review boards.[xi]

Protection

Local governments tend to provide the highest level of protection for historic buildings. Federal legislation, such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, encourage but do not mandate the protection of significant, historic buildings. Section 106 is only triggered through an undertaking involving a federal agency, and the agency involved must take into consideration the effects of the undertaking to historic properties that are listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.[xii] Section 106 encourages community engagement in the historic preservation process, but has strict limitations in its application and true protections. As long as there is no involvement from a federal agency, private property owners of significant historic properties can do whatever they would like with their historic structures, including demolition; however, local regulations add an additional layer of protections that Section 106 does not provide.

In most local regulations, all properties within the boundaries of local historic districts must follow the established local guidelines. In most cases, work on buildings within the local historic districts requires review by either the local government staff or architectural review board. The architectural review boards are included in the enabling legislation for the historic district overlays at the local level and consist of appointed volunteers. The oversight at the local level can prevent the demolition of buildings, construction of inappropriate modern buildings, and inappropriate exterior alterations to existing buildings.  

Written by Ericka Kauffman, Historic Preservation Specialist
Published: January 23, 2026

[i] “’Big Yellow Taxi’ by Joni Mitchell,” Climate in Global Cultures and Histories: Promoting Climate Literacy Across Disciplines, published March 11, 2024, https://www.science.smith.edu/climatelit/big-yellow-taxi-by-joni-mitchell/.

[ii] Marcin H. Kudzin, et al., “Risks Associated with the Presence of Polyvinyl Chloride in the Environment and Methods for Its Disposal and Utilization,” Materials (Basel) 17, no.1 (December 2023): doi: 10.3390/ma17010173.

[iii] “The Case for Preservation,” Preservation Buffalo Niagara, accessed December 2025, https://preservationbuffaloniagara.org/caseforpreservation/.

[iv] “’Living near heritage makes you happier,’” European Heritage Tribune, March 26, 2024, https://heritagetribune.eu/europe/does-living-near-heritage-make-you-happier/.; Gerald A. Carlino & Albert Saiz, “Beautiful City: Leisure Amenities and Urban Growth,” Working Papers Research Department, 19 (16): https://www.philadelphiafed.org/-/media/frbp/assets/working-papers/2019/wp19-16.pdf.

[v] Thompson Mayes, “Why Do Old Places Matter?,” National Trust for Historic Preservation, February 7, 2014. https://savingplaces.org/stories/why-do-old-places-matter-beauty.

[vi] Grand View Research, Heritage Tourism Market (2025-2030), https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/heritage-tourism-market-report.

[vii] “Heritage Tourism,” Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, accessed December 2025, https://www.achp.gov/heritage_tourism.

[viii] Carol Maggio, et al., The Effects of an Historic District on Property Values (Borough of Hollidaysburg, 1997), https://www.hollidaysburgpa.org/getmedia/06a59160-0d27-46dd-88ea-67b31449c88a/hist_dist_prop_val_study.pdf.

[ix] “The Impact of Local Historic Districts,” City of Baltimore, accessed December 2025, https://chap.baltimorecity.gov/value-local-historic-districts.

[x] Eric Cova, “Demand for walkable places remains high,” Smart Growth America, published December 10, 2024, https://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/knowledge-hub/news/demand-for-walkable-places-remains-high/.

[xi] Julia Rocchi, “10 Benefits of Establishing a Local Historic District,” National Trust for Historic Preservation, published December 8, 2015, https://savingplaces.org/stories/10-on-tuesday-10-benefits-of-establishing-a-local-historic-district.

[xii] “36 CFR Part 800 – Protection of Historic Properties (incorporating amendments effective August 5, 2004),” https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/regulations/2017-02/regs-rev04.pdf.