The Past (Still) Matters Today: West Virginia Statewide Historic Preservation Plan 2014

From introduction: "An individual contacted me concerned about the possible demolition of several buildings in her community. She stated that they were connections to who we are. She is right. As we move ever onward into the twenty first century, it is clear that the past remains important to understanding who we are. We are members of a community made up of neighborhoods, schools, parks, places of worship, stores, restaurants and libraries. While we are attached our electronic devices, we are still part of an environment of buildings, structures, landscapes and other resources. Our state moves forward upon celebrating 150 years of statehood. Even so, the past still matters today. How we perceive and create our future rests upon how we were changed by events and places of the past. Historic preservation seeks to identify and protect those resources that tell us who we are. During our public meetings, participants shared that they care about West Virginia’s historic resources. They want others to know more about the historic resources in their community and advocate support. West Virginians are go-getters and I have seen the success of projects due to the leadership and passion individuals bring to the table. We are connected together to protect West Virginia’s historic resources. In this endeavor, we have identified five goals. They are: 1. Education: West Virginians will have access to information and training for historic preservation techniques, resources and skills. 2. Awareness: West Virginians will recognize and understand the value of our state’s historic resources. 3. Identification: West Virginians will identify, evaluate and designate historic resources. 4. Community and Economic Development: West Virginians will incorporate historic preservation into economic and community development to maintain a sense of place. 5. Stewardship: West Virginians will safeguard and sustain historic resources in their communities and rural areas throughout the state." Funding was provided in part by a 2014 Historic Preservation Fund grant administered by the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office (project number WV-14-028, grant number P14AF00034) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Past (Still) Matters Today: West Virginia Statewide Historic Preservation Plan 2014

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