New Jersey Comprehensive Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, 2013-2019

From introduction: "This New Jersey Comprehensive Statewide Historic Preservation Plan (Plan) is the result of a statewide dialogue about historic preservation. New Jerseyans believe that historic preservation plays an important role in improving the quality of life, while encouraging the growth and development of New Jersey’s communities. They care very deeply about the places, cultures, and traditions that make up our broad and storied past, and are proud of our history of innovation, diversity and liberty. This Plan was prepared as the New Jersey State Planning Commission was completing public comment on the Draft Final State Strategic Plan. The Final Draft of the State Strategic Plan recognizes historic properties as assets that are critical state resources. The Strategic Plan calls for preservation and enhancement of those critical resources as part of the State’s economic growth strategy. The Strategic Plan presents a set of Garden State Values. This Plan aligns with those values. These values include the preservation of historic properties as part of a strategy of creating a high quality of living which will attract economic growth. The Strategic Plan calls out the value of our cultural heritage, notably the nationally significant resources that reflect New Jersey’s role as the Crossroads of the American Revolution. This Plan also draws on two significant preservation planning efforts: the New Jersey Heritage Tourism Master Plan, and the Crossroads of the American Revolution Heritage Area Management Plan. The Heritage Tourism Master Plan provides guidance to the State, counties, and municipalities for capitalizing on opportunities for heritage tourism. The Tourism Master Plan surveyed historic sites to ensure that they are visitor-ready, and encouraged the establishment of signage and linkages between historic sites. Implementation of the Tourism Master Plan will help boost our economy, while telling the varied and diverse stories of New Jersey’s people and places. The Crossroads of the American Revolution Heritage Area Master Plan addresses organization of the heritage area’s management and partnerships. It lays out interpretive themes, addresses ways to enhance the heritage area’s sites and communities, while conserving important historic, natural, and cultural resources. Both of these plans highlight the importance of connecting historic sites to each other –creating a community of sites, and on the need to move beyond physical preservation to more active engagement with visitors so that they understand and appreciate our history. Both plans highlight the extent to which New Jersey has under-marketed its historic sites." Funding was provided in part by a 2013 Historic Preservation Fund grant administered by the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office (project number NJ-13-005, grant number P14AF00007) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

New Jersey Comprehensive Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, 2013-2019

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