My favorite authors are those who write about travel. I’m attracted to books that not only transport me to another place, but also another time.

I seek authors whose writing is inspired by history, and who then follow in the footsteps of historical figures to learn about their lasting (or not) impact on society. Stories where the printed pages offer an introduction, a mythical handshake, or hug, to the people whose lives and experiences influenced the places we inhabit today helps me feel connected to a space beyond my living room.

Woman wearing glasses with a book in front of her lower face.

I’m enjoying this interesting read about Ben Franklin.

Countless authors, leaders, scholars, and historians have commented on the importance of learning history so that we may begin to understand the world around us:

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., minister, civil rights leader, and advocate for equality. King earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Delaware County. The three years King spent in Pennsylvania were a key period in shaping his philosophy of nonviolent social change.

“If you want to understand today you have to search yesterday.” – Pearl S. Buck, novelist, humanitarian, and first American woman to win both a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize. Pearl Buck purchased Green Hills Farm in Bucks County in 1933 and lived there until her death in 1973. Green Hills Farm is a National Historic Landmark and operated by the Pearl S. Buck International Foundation.

Blue sign with gold lettering for Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973).

The Pennsylvania historical marker for Pearl S. Buck in Bucks County. Image by Don Morfe, July 2015 from the Historical Marker Database at https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=86300.

“It is easy to be cynical, hard to be hopeful. Yet the fabric of history is woven by the hopeful.” – Ida M. Tarbell, investigative journalist, biographer of Lincoln and historian of Standard Oil. Born in 1857, and despite obstacles including gender-based discrimination, Tarbell’s devotion to research and telling a fuller story continues to inspire today’s writers. Tarbell was an Erie County native and attended Allegheny College.

“History is not the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to use useful to the modern traveler.” – Henry H. Glassie, author, educator, and Director of the Ethnic Culture Survey (1967–1969) for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Glassie earned his Ph.D. in folklore from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969.

From history, I look for meaning, inspiration, and connection. During this past year I learned that other Pennsylvanians are seeking connection, too.

Historic Preservation: The Keystone of Community

Historic Preservation: The Keystone of Community, is Pennsylvania’s new 10-year statewide historic preservation plan. Throughout the development of the plan, Pennsylvanians shared strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and desired results.

This input shaped the roadmap for Pennsylvania to soar over the next decade. Stakeholder and public input revealed a recurring theme = the need for and importance of connection. Historic preservation efforts are most successful when Pennsylvanians are connected, understand shared histories, and work together across backgrounds and disciplines to achieve positive preservation outcomes.

Aerial image of downtown and factory with a large blue keystone at left side.

Cover of Pennsylvania’s new statewide historic preservation plan.

Historic Preservation: The Keystone of Community has 3 goals:

  1. Real and perceived barriers to historic preservation have been reduced or eliminated through data-driven and thoughtful investments in relationships, programs, funding, and policies.
  2. Historic preservation and historic places are valued as integral to community identity, sense of place, economic development, and sustainable growth in Pennsylvania communities.
  3. Pennsylvanians create more meaningful preservation outcomes by leveraging knowledge and opportunities offered by historic preservation and historic places.

The plan has a compelling vision, and each goal includes 4 objectives and a series of achievable actions.

Graphic for a vision statement.

The new plan’s vision statement.

I invite all Pennsylvanians to explore the plan, identify a goal/objective/action that relates to your work or sparks your interest, and then lead the change. The PA SHPO had a central role in developing this statewide historic preservation plan, but it is not the PA SHPO’s plan, it’s Pennsylvania’s plan.

Borrowing Benjamin Franklin’s words, “well done is better than well said,” can serve as inspiration to us all to act upon the goals of Pennsylvania’s new plan. Let’s enthusiastically propel historic preservation into being the keystone of every community in Pennsylvania!