OP/ED: Newport needs to keep up with its preservation
Posted August 6, 2009 | Contact pr@nthp.org or 202-588-6141
By Richard Moe | February 22, 2009
Washington, D.C. Published in Newport Daily News.
Newport has been welcoming visitors - from sailors to millionaires to camera-toting vacationers - for centuries, and few places to do it better. What draws people to Newport? A beautiful setting, certainly, museums, interesting shops and good seafood, too. And most important of all, an unmatched collection of historic buildings.
Newport is a magnet for anyone who cares about America's architectural heritage. From the understated elegance of Georgian-era public buildings to the assertive opulence of Gilded Age "cottages," this city has it all, including what is almost certainly the nation's largest collection of pre-1800 structures. These factors help explain why the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Newport one of America's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2004, and why numerous travel publications have included it on their lists of "must-see" places. It is, quite simply, a treasure of national - and global - significance.
Over the years, Newport has generally done an outstanding job of protecting and celebrating its heritage. Way back in the 1830s, residents tried to halt the destruction of the old Coddington house on Marlborough Street; they failed, sadly, but in the decades since then, lots of organizations, institutions and individuals - from Newport Restoration Foundation and Salve Regina University to thousands of private property owners - have succeeded in keeping Newport's past alive. The highly regarded Preservation Society of Newport County is several years older than the National Trust, while the 1965 ordinance establishing the Newport Historic District is one of the earliest such laws in the country.
One result of this long history of thoughtful vigilance is that preservation has become the most powerful engine driving the local economy. According to the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, more than 3 million people visit Newport every year, most of them eager to experience the city's history, to listen to the stories that Newport's old buildings and neighborhoods tell. That's a lot of visitors - and a lot of visitor dollars piling up in local cash registers and bank accounts, supporting local businesses and contributing to the tax revenues that pay for public services. No wonder other communities, eager to learn how preservation might strengthen their own livability and economic vitality, often look to Newport as a model.
Lately, however, that model has developed a somewhat wobbly foundation. The city's first professional preservation planner resigned several months ago and has not yet been replaced. Additionally, the Historic District Commission came under intense scrutiny last year after residents complained about some of the Commission's decisions. Recognizing the critical importance of historic preservation to Newport's economy and quality of life, the city council appointed a task force to review the preservation ordinance and recommend ways to improve the commission's oversight of historic districts and sites. The task force report will be the subject of a hearing next month.
Why do these things matter? Because historic preservation matters, especially in a place like this. Studies show that heritage travelers like those who flock to Newport tend to stay longer and spend more than other kinds of tourists - but only if their destination gives them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace. Historic buildings and neighborhoods are irreplaceable assets, providing the distinctive character that makes Newport unique and appealing. But the preservation of these assets doesn't just happen. It takes expert guidance, advocacy and oversight.
Historic district designation is the most effective tool for protecting a community's historic assets. It provides a means of managing change, preventing hasty demolition and encouraging compatible new construction, and thereby helps ensure that the all-important - but fragile - historic character of the area is not compromised or destroyed. Overseeing historic districts as significant as Newport's requires the best efforts of a dedicated historic district commission whose members understand and appreciate the provisions of the ordinance they administer, and establish clear, consistent standards and procedures for their work. It requires the support of a qualified, knowledgeable staff that can provide information and advice on matters of law, design and administrative "best practices." It requires a holistic approach that recognizes the value of landscape and context, not just individual buildings, and realizes that what happens on the city's fringe has an impact on the preservation of its historic heart. Specifically, in Newport's case, it requires prompt action by the City Council, preservationists and civic leaders, who must work together to identify and hire a qualified historic preservation planner and to implement those task force recommendations that will strengthen preservation, restoration and education efforts across the community.
Newporters are fortunate to live in this beautiful historic place - but all of us, residents and visitors alike, have a stake in ensuring that the city's rich heritage remains intact and alive. All of us, wherever we live, need to be able to experience Newport, to learn from it and be inspired by it.
Richard Moe is the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories. For more information visit www.PreservationNation.org.
