The Happy New Year Rant - Historic Preservation!

A recent newspaper article about the sad state of affairs at New Bridge Landing, a Bergen County New Jersey historic spot raised some discussion on one of the forums that I read. It ticks me off, but not exactly the way you would expect.

So many history geeks here in my home state of New Jersey bemoan the fact that most of our Revolutionary War history is paved over, knocked down or forgotten. That's true. They say no one cares. That's NOT true. It's more like, MOST people don't care. And, it's not just us here in Soprano-land either.

Look at what Virginia is doing to her Civil War heritage. New Jersey had an almost 100 year head start obliterating her Revolutionary War history! Think about that. The sad fact is, it doesn't matter where you happen to be sitting while you're reading this, there are most likely to be similar problems. Populations are growing and becoming more transient and so, have less ties to local culture. People are busy trying to make ends meet, raise families and pay taxes. Why should people care about their history? It's really just a quaint footnote anyway.

So, we history geeks rant on our forums and round tables. "Travesty!" we scream. Many are even moved to make a donation, volunteer for a fund raiser or set up a foundation (myself included). That's great. We need that. But we also need to think. I mean really think. How do we preach outside the choir?

Each of us have talent and creativity, but we don't always use what we have. For instance, living historians will say, "Let's have a reenactment there to raise awareness!" Brilliant! Huzzahs all around. But, let's think. Who's going to come to this reenactment? History geeks mostly. Ok, so it's just a good idea, but not a brilliant one. Back to the drawing board. I'm not picking on reenactors (far, far from it) but I just want to make the point that so much of what we do is preaching to the choir and then passing the hat around the choir. Then we pat ourselves on the back and say, "At least we fought the good fight." We don't think big, and that's what ticks me off. Myself included. Folks, we need a bigger choir.

How about this: I like to paint and even fancy myself an artist. What if I did a series of absolutely stunning lanscapes depicting "The Vanishing Historic Landscape of New Jersey" and had a huge gallery showing? Everyone knows that the artworld loves causes. Now, they would say, "Wow, this is great artwork and this guy has a cause too. Let's see how we can help." Brilliant! Huzzahs all around. The problem is, I'm not a well known painter and I would have a tough time getting gallery space, much less create a big buzz. Ok, so it's not such a brilliant idea after all, but it is on the right track. You see, if it was successful, it would introduce our cause to a totally new audience; the artworld. That's thinking big.

So, besides the obligatory New Year's Resolution to lose 10 lbs. this year (Deb, I promise to try!), how about pledging to think a little harder and a little bigger about what "we who care" can do to capture the interest of "they who don't care". It's a tough one, I admit. I also admit I don't have the answer. But, I'll never find the answer unless I think about it. Why don't you think about it too and either post your idea or email it to me?

Getting people to care is the first step to getting them to act. Think big in 2008!