Georgia's State Historic Preservation Plan 2017-2021: Integrating Innovation with Preservation

Dixon, Jennifer; Hover, William

From the Introduction: "Georgia has a strong preservation constituency that works in partnership to protect our irreplaceable historic places. Like all of the US, Georgia faces challenging economic realities that continue to have an impact on the lives of its citizens. Preservationists need to continue to assess where we are, adjust our course, evaluate the choices we have made, and envision a better future. We need to reaffirm our vision of community, shared experiences, and shared heritage. It is a vision that blends treasuring our past with developing a new course for the future. It is a vision that includes people from all walks of life, joining forces to protect and use historic places in order to make Georgia a better place to live, work, and play. Planning for our future must include planning for the preservation and protection of our heritage. Historic places and cultural patterns tell the story of who we are, those who came before us, and who we are becoming. Historic places are tangible evidence of Georgia's history. They give us a sense of place and a compelling reason to protect our history and share it with others. Historic places enhance the quality of people's lives, providing a continuous source of information about the past. They can be studied, interpreted, rehabilitated, and used to benefit present and future generations of Georgians and visitors to our state. Historic preservation also creates much-needed jobs and has positive benefits for the environment by utilizing existing resources, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future. For preservation to continue to be a sustainable movement, we must continue to innovate. Increasingly, in order to involve younger generations, preservationists are turning to technology. With newer generations growing up with computers, the use of the Internet is now an everyday affair. Additionally, preservation organization are beginning to see these younger generations entering the workforce and bringing fresh ideas, fresh eyes, and fresh energy to the often-described 'old' or 'tired' preservation movement. Furthermore, younger employees are willing to try new technologies on old techniques, introducing new software, systems, and processes into the existing procedures. Evolving workplaces translate to new workspaces, new work habits, and new work concepts. All of this translates to the necessary and continuing integration of innovation both for, and within, the preservation movement. 'Georgia's State Historic Preservation Plan 2017-2021: Integrating Innovation with Preservation' is the guiding document for the state historic preservation administered by the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR). Our state plan covers the years 2017 through 2021. It follows the previous plan, 'Georgia's State Historic Preservation Plan 2012-2016: Partnering for Preservation', and builds on its firm foundations." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Georgia's State Historic Preservation Plan 2017-2021: Integrating Innovation with Preservation

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