Preserving New Jersey's Heritage: A Statewide Plan - New Jersey Historic Preservation Plan 2011-2016

Introduction: "Establishing a plan for historic preservation in New Jersey has been the product of a year-long effort, led by the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office and Preservation New Jersey, to bring together agencies, organizations, and individuals from across the state to talk about how preservation can contribute to improving the quality of life in New Jersey. This plan is not intended for any one agency or organization, but is intended to enlist the support of everyone in the state who believes historic preservation should play an important role in the growth and development of New Jersey's communities. This plan builds on the earlier work started by the 'New Jersey Partners for Preservation: a Blueprint for Building Historic Preservation into New Jersey's Future 2002-2007', and examines current issues in preservation within the context of today's New Jersey. The past few years have been challenging due to extraordinary economic pressures. What became clear during this statewide dialogue, was that even when their communities are stressed, New Jersey citizens care very deeply about the places, cultures, and traditions that make up New Jersey's broad and storied past. Across the State and the country, the movement to make our built work more sustainable has become increasingly important. Savvy New Jersey citizens have recognized that historic preservation is the ultimate representation of green practices and sustainability, and that historic preservation can be an engine for growth, which is critically important when our local communities are under economic pressure. Despite the challenging economic climate, New Jersey's history community has undertaken two large planning efforts to promote the value of our shared history. The State has recognized potential for heritage tourism to contribute to state economic growth and established the New Jersey Tourism Task Force. In June of 2010, the Task Force finalized the New Jersey Heritage Tourism Master Plan. This Master Plan provides guidance to the State, counties, and municipalities for capitalizing on local opportunities for heritage tourism by surveying historic sites to ensure that they are visitor ready, and establishing signage and linkages between historic sites. Not only will it help boost our economy, but also it will help tell the varied and diverse stories of New Jersey's people and places. The second major planning effort is still underway. The Crossroads of the American Revolution Association is developing a management plan for the Crossroads of the American Revolution Heritage Area. The plan addresses ways to organize the heritage area's management and partnerships, interpret themes, enhance the heritage area's sites and communities, and conserve important historic, natural, and cultural resources. New Jerseyans are deeply proud of New Jersey's central rol in the American Revolution. This preservation plan describes a new vision for historic preservation in New Jersey. It outlines the New Jersey preservation community, and discusses opportunities as well as expected challenges. The Plan also addresses goals and objectives, and how all of us, working in tandem, can accomplish these goals." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, Department of Environmental Protection, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Preserving New Jersey's Heritage: A Statewide Plan - New Jersey Historic Preservation Plan 2011-2016

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