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Grand Central Sky Mural after restoration
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3 Characteristics of Historic Landmark Building

The destruction of Pennsylvania Station and New York City’s famous 1965 Landmark Preservation Law tend to bookmark the commencement of America’s Historic Building/Monument Preservation Movement. However, the allocation of services dedicated to the preservation of historic construction officially dates back to the Historic Sites Act of 1935. Even prior to 1935, there were attempts on behalf of the federal government to institute preservation programs. However, as it is often the case, the reaction to demolition and scarcity are more effective forces in the promotion and education of such matters. Therefore, resources and interest in the preservation of historic sites did not reach the awareness of the general public until the latter half of the twentieth century.

As the American preservation movement gained momentum and barriers to construction became evident, creative solutions such as facadism came into popular use in order to preserve the exterior of the building, therefore not disrupting the landmark status, but then designing a new building within the old frame. Although an old and useful method, the danger of facadism risks the loss of historic interiors. Even New York City’s Landmark Law did not originally include historic interiors and was amended in 1973. This amendment to the law was a reaction to the ongoing Grand Central Terminal demolition controversy as well as the destruction of the old Metropolitan Opera House in 1967.

Grand Central Sky Mural after restoration

Grand Central Station, New York City, Historic Landmark Interior

Determining the landmark status of interior rooms, therefore, preserving the decoration, artwork and sometimes even furniture within typically require certain criteria. Characteristics typical of landmark interiors are generally (1) accessibility to the public, (2) of a certain age, usually more than 30 years old, and (3) possess a unique character or historical value to the city, state, or nation. From state to state and city to city, the landmark guidelines for buildings, monuments, interiors, landscapes, and districts may vary slightly. However most all metropolises as well as many small cities and towns now have legislation to protect significant construction from modification and destruction.

Old Steinway ceiling mural after restoration

Steinway Hall, New York City, Landmark Interior

Overtime interiors may be modified to suit different purposes and needs. As a result, the decoration and design may have been altered, covered, or removed. To restore a historic landmark interior, the decoration and artwork may be simply repaired and cleaned if in existence or recreated based on historic photographs and onsite research. Adaptive reuse is an inevitable necessity in construction and oftentimes historic interiors once intended for a bank or airport may become a restaurant or hotel. In making the adaptation for new use, the historic fabric and decoration is retained. Generally, the historic atmosphere contributes positively to the ambience of the repurposed interior.

Maryland State House Old Senate Chamber after restoration

Maryland State House Old Senate Chamber, Historic Landmark Interior

There is an important lesson to be learned from the history of Historic Landmarks in America. Regardless of the governing powers’ attempts to promote or secure certain ideas, it is the local people who must defend and care for their surroundings. Historic buildings are touted to represent the historic fabric and local culture, and though this is true, the ultimate preservation of these ideals comes directly from those local people and their ability to respect their past and traditions. Otherwise, these buildings and monuments are akin to stoney graves taking up space in the land of the living.

In a word, preservation requires prudence. Change and adaptations are inevitable in every age, the idea is not to freeze these buildings and interiors in time but rather to enjoy them in the present and care for them for the future. Their beauty should make us proud of who we are and where we come from, subsequently inspiring stewardship. Though these buildings were designed, built, and paid for by our ancestors they are our heritage and provide a place for us in the world, literally and figuratively. These constructions are as much ours as our ancestors, not just special because they are old, but rather because they are deeply connected to our identity as Americans, from small towns to big cities.

Radio City Music Hall After restoration

Radio City Music Hall, New York City, Historic Landmark Interior

January 24, 2025

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