As Historic Preservation Month ends, we take time to honor and celebrate the vital work of protecting and preserving the historic buildings, landmarks, and cultural sites that embody our nation’s storied past. From majestic civic buildings to humble homes, historic preservation efforts encompass a wide array of structures and locales that each contribute an important thread to the rich tapestry of our national identity.
Urban Renewal
In the post-World War II era, many American cities embarked on ambitious urban renewal projects, fueled by federal funding and a desire to clear out what were seen as blighted areas. Historic preservation and urban renewal have long been at odds, with the push for modernization and redevelopment often coming at the expense of important historic sites and structures. By the mid-1960s, federally funded urban renewal projects were rapidly destroying historically significant sites.
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
Congress acknowledged the federal preservation program’s inadequacy in protecting the nation’s heritage for future generations. In response the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), was signed into law on October 15, 1966, creating a comprehensive national program to protect America’s historical heritage. This landmark legislation established systematic procedures that promote the identification and safeguarding of historic and archaeological resources at the federal level, while also encouraging similar protections at state and local levels. The NHPA is the most comprehensive preservation law ever enacted in United States history.
The Cape May Story
Cape May, New Jersey in the 1960’s and 1970’s represented a microcosm of the forces that were at work in local communities across the country. There were those that saw urban renewal and the removal of the buildings that they considered to be a blight on the city as a positive thing. On the other hand, there were citizens that believed the vast collection of historic structures helped define Cape May and they saw great value in their restoration.
A Journey from Demolition to Preservation
In 1963, based on a recommendation from the Planning Board, the City of Cape May gave the go ahead to prepare an application for an urban renewal project. In1965, the city approved what was labeled the Victorian Village Plan. In 1967, a year after passage of the NHPA, HUD approved a five-year plan for Cape May that was financed by $3 million of federal funds. As a condition of the funding, the city was obligated to profile Cape May and catalog the Victorian buildings. Carolyn Pitts, an architectural historian, was hired to complete this study.
The planned urban renewal work would be centered in the middle of the town with the goal of creating a new business district. Three blocks of Washington Street were selected to be closed off and made into a pedestrian mall. This mall would be the centerpiece of the planned renewal of the town. The mall was dedicated in June of 1971 and remains a popular addition to the town to this day. Unfortunately, demolition of numerous historic structures would be necessary to eliminate the perceived blight and to provide the parking needed for the envisioned business district. In many cases the city took the position that demolition was better than rehabilitating the older structures. Ultimately more than 100 properties would be demolished. The city was moving forward to create a “new” Cape May. Better to have new buildings and businesses and the tax revenues they would bring.
Not so fast
Preservationists were alarmed by the loss of so much of the historical fabric of the town. When it appeared that demolition of the Emlen Physick Estate, a significant historic structure, was under consideration it was a bridge too far. They coalesced as a group and sought ways to protect the many historic structures remaining that were threatened. They founded what would later become the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and helped elect a like-minded mayor who would support preservation priorities. One of the key people involved in this effort was Carolyn Pitts. In 1970 she and others were able to get Cape May listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The new designation meant that no property within the historic district could be modified without federal approval if state or federal funds were to be used in the process. With their bold and unprecedented actions, the preservationists effectively put a halt to the type of urban renewal that was such a threat to Cape May.
The End Result
Eventually the city embraced the efforts that saw the value in historic preservation. In 1972 Bruce Minnix, a devoted preservationist would be elected Mayor and in 1976 the entire City of Cape May was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today Cape May is a thriving resort community whose primary attraction is the vast collection of Victorian structures within the town. These historic gems draw visitors from around the world.
A lesson can be learned from Cape May. Citizens can make a real difference protecting their community’s history while providing a path for future development. Throughout the country a more balanced approach has emerged for urban renewal projects, one that seeks to revitalize urban areas while protecting significant historic resources. Cities increasingly recognize that historic preservation and redevelopment are not mutually exclusive, and that with careful planning, historic structures can be integrated into the urban fabric to enrich the character and appeal of the community.
Note from the author: In the early 1970s, Ms. Pitts would rent an apartment in my parents’ Victorian home each summer. From this home base, she and a group of architectural students from the University of Pennsylvania meticulously documented individual Victorian buildings according to the HABS (Historic Architecture Building Survey) guidelines. At a young age this would be my first introduction to the preservation movement. Later on with our family home as the proving ground Acrymax would go on to protect historic buildings throughout Cape May including The Physick Estate, Mainstay Inn, Queen Victoria, Inn of Cape May, The Chalfonte and many private homes.
