PreservationNation

Written by Erica Stewart

The National Trust has a long history of compiling insightful lists and bestowing distinguished awards: our 11-Most Endangered List calls attention to key pieces of our county’s cultural, architectural, and historic fabric that are threatened with destruction, demolition, or insensitive alteration. The Dozen Distinctive Destinations lineup is a heritage traveler’s bucket list, a collection of must-see places with special charm, attractions, and plenty of “je ne sais quoi.”   The Preservation Awards honor projects and individuals that set the standard for excellence in historic preservation.  And now, the Great American Main Street Awards® (GAMSA) take center stage, just a few weeks away from announcing the Main Street communities that are this year’s best in achieving commercial district revitalization success.

The GAMSA awards, a juried contest managed by the National Trust Main Street Center, doesn’t just kick the tires; it looks under the hood also, probing beyond the community’s cultural attractions, architectural marvels, shopping, restaurants, arts, and events. The awards  recognize communities that exemplify a comprehensive revitalization strategy by building a foundation of public-private support, developing small businesses, creating jobs and economic impact, and preserving older and historic buildings – all hallmarks of the Center’s proven approach to commercial district revitalization.

The five winners are chosen from the 10 semifinalists, with the announcement coming on May 4th in Oklahoma City, at the 2010 National Main Streets Conference, the nation’s largest gathering of downtown revitalization professionals.

Without further ado, meet this year’s contenders.

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Written by John Hildreth

St. Augustine preservationist Theresa Segal at the Bridge of Lions opening celebration.

For most of us 13 years is a long time. Thirteen years ago gasoline cost $1.38 per gallon, Bill Clinton was president, the college intern in my office was in elementary school, and the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine was listed on the National Trust’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Those were difficult times for people trying to save the bridge. Advocates worked tirelessly to convince the Florida Department of Transportation and the Coast Guard to renovate the historic 1927 drawbridge rather than replace the span. The primary group, Save Our Bridge, and its president, Theresa Segal, used every approach possible to simultaneously sway public opinion, convince decision makers, correct flawed impact studies, argue legal positions, and perform their full-time jobs. It took eight years, but at last the arguments had been won, the funds appropriated, and renovation of the Bridge of Lions had begun. The $82 million project is now open to traffic — vehicular and pedestrian. Although the namesake lions and the public park at the foot of the bridge are still being restored, the bridge is completed.

The community had a great day of celebration on St. Patrick’s Day to mark the bridge’s reopening, even with the rain. While public officials made their speeches, it really was a day for the citizens of St. Augustine. A group of 27 people were selected at random from more than 750 that applied online to be the first to walk the bridge, antique cars from every decade of the bridge’s service paraded across the bridge, and 92 year old Mrs. Isabella Ingraham Heard and her two great granddaughters cut the ribbon. Mrs. Heard was one of three young women who rode in the first float to cross the bridge as part of the 1927 opening of the Bridge of Lions.

An antique car crosses the Bridge of Lions.

Since the Bridge of Lions was listed as one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 1997 more than 100 places have been on that list. Each one has a story of dedicated preservationists, long odds, and important history. Saving these places is hard work and it takes perseverance. Just ask Theresa Segal and her fellow laborers. However, a day like St. Patrick’s Day 2010 in St. Augustine makes it worth the effort. The City of St. Augustine is a national treasure, part gritty history and part fantasy. With the successful renovation of the Bridge of Lions, one of its main adornments and signature places can be enjoyed and used by new generations of citizens and visitors alike.

John Hildreth is the director of the Southern Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Written by Rob Nieweg

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and its allies in the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition continue their fight to protect the Civil War Wilderness Battlefield against an incompatible commercial development which would destroy battlefield land and encroach unnecessarily on a National Park. The stakes are high and we remain optimistic.

Why does this place matter?

• There is no better place than Wilderness Battlefield to understand how the events of May 5, 6, and 7, 1864 unfolded to help determine the outcome of the Civil War and to shape our nation. Experts agree that Wilderness Battlefield is comparable in importance to Gettysburg, Antietam, and Appomatox. Visitors must stand on the battlefield to fully appreciate the sacrifices made there, and the military, political, and social implications of the conflict.

• The Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, which includes portions of Wilderness Battlefield, is a national treasure and is expected to be a major destination during the Civil War Sesquicentennial, 2011 – 2015.

• Preservationists oppose the infamous “Wilderness Walmart” because it would radically urbanize the visitors gateway to the National Park, at the intersection of Routes 3 and 20. The planned 240,000-square foot development would quadruple the existing low-scale commercial buildings there and open the door to a flood of new proposals for more inappropriate construction. Walmart would permanently harm the Wilderness.

• Many local residents see Wilderness Battlefield as a key economic asset for Orange County, Virginia, because it draws 170,000 visitors each year, according to the county’s comprehensive plan. That’s why the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition offered in January 2009 to fund a planning study to help strike a balance between battlefield preservation and economic development. The Orange County Board of Supervisors dismissed our offer.

• Beginning in June 2008 — long before Walmart’s proposal was finalized — preservationists first asked Walmart to relocate its project away from the battlefield and National Park. No preservationist opposes sustainable growth in Orange County. However, we continue to believe that thoughtful land-use planning can preserve the battlefield and the National Park while still creating new jobs, tax revenue, and commercial amenities.

• How will our National Parks survive as the land around them changes? Local governments have an obligation to partner with state and federal governments to serve as the stewards of our National Parks. In our view, the Orange County Board of Supervisors abdicated their responsibility to preserve and protect Wilderness Battlefield. This is a national problem.

What’s next? The National Trust, Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, and six local residents are in Orange County Circuit Court to challenge the Board of Supervisors’ vote to approve Wilderness Walmart. We expect a ruling from the Circuit Court any day. Click here if you’d like to send an email to Walmart to support preservation of Wilderness Battlefield.

Learn more about this ongoing battle here »

Rob Nieweg is the director of the Southern Field Office at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.