The Kansas Preservation Plan 1995 - Planning for the Future: Historic Preservation is Public Policy (web page)

Executive Summary: "The preservation needs of Kansas, which are diverse and extensive, are represented in the state plan. The challenges for the future of preservation in Kansas focus on the development of a stronger statewide network and the continued integration of the preservation ethic in public and private sector concerns. By working together we can achieve preservation planning at all levels of government, widespread public involvement and awareness of preservation issues and concerns, and widespread use of accepted preservation techniques. The goal statements and recommendations seek to address these broad needs and challenges in very specific ways, focusing on the areas of education and information exchange, community preservation, financial incentives, preservation partnerships, and archaeological sites and research. One of the major preservation issues identified through the planning process is the need to increase the knowledge and acceptance of historic preservation throughout the state with enhanced public education/outreach programming. The state's preservation needs can be better met by extending greater opportunities that encourage people to learn more about historic preservation. A key component of successful community preservation programming is acceptance by local government. By making historic preservation a component of long-range planning, local governments can use mechanisms such as ordinances to focus attention on preservation concerns. Greater activity and community initiatives for preservation can be encouraged through support of the Kansas Main Street program, the Certified Local Government program, and other contributory mechanisms. The creation of an increased number of financial opportunities would encourage more affordable preservation projects to occur. Money often is the issue that determines what type of project will be done. Financial incentives can serve to attract those who otherwise might not have considered preservation and can also serve those who might have considered preservation as an option but could not afford it. Successful implementation of preservation strategies often occurs through partnerships. Preservation is an interactive and interdisciplinary arena that involves the talents and energies of diverse groups of people. Cooperative partnerships can enhance the presence of historic preservation in the already established arenas of heritage tourism and real estate. Kansas has many prehistoric and historic sites of the American Indian occupation, as well as those of Euro-American settlers. These sites are testimony to at least twelve thousand years of activity, which properly recorded, studied, and preserved, can give us great insight to the variety of adaptions achieved by human societies in the Central Plains. The sites have been the focus of systematic study by a small number archaeologists for only the past sixty years. Much remains to be gained from this poorly known record, both in understanding and appreciation, by professionals and the public alike. Many of the goals outlined in the plan can be met through enhanced education and training programs, publications and videos, comprehensive community preservation planning initiatives, increased financial incentives, and expanded partnerships that nurture preservation activities. The plan outlines a series of goals and recommendations designed to encourage historic preservation activities in both the private and public sectors." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Kansas Historical Society administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Kansas Preservation Plan 1995 - Planning for the Future: Historic Preservation is Public Policy (web page)

See also

Collections