Over human history, many extraordinary structures have been constructed; some even recognized by UNESCO.
Historical places are important because they help us gain a glimpse into past lifestyles, while providing us with pride in our past achievements.
Historical significance often arises from its relationship to an event or series of events in history.
1. They tell a story.
Historic places can include any location, building, structure or artifact with historical significance – be it houses, churches, factories, bridges or any other artifact – such as houses, churches, factories or bridges. Most historic places are preserved in their original condition with furnishings from past decades still present in these original structures; providing us with valuable insights into life in past times and showing how people lived back then. Historic places serve an invaluable purpose as they allow us to understand how people lived their lives long ago.
Historic places give cities their character and unique identity; they also serve as sources of pride for those living there.
Historic sites can be an effective teaching tool to prompt students to ask, “why?”. This helps build cognitive abilities such as exploration and discovery, research, inventorying and analysis – which can then be applied across many different fields of study – for instance when researching city growth they can explore its historical places to gain more information about its development.
2. They are a source of pride.
History-rich sites all over the globe serve as reminders of ancient civilisations’ incredible technological innovation and artistry. However, many historic wonders are in danger today due to climate change or development efforts by modern nations.
Historic places evoke pride in communities everywhere, whether it’s the house that served as an Underground Railroad stop, a city square marking an important event in labor history or George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution; all represent hopes and ideals which our present-day communities strive to uphold.
Preservation of historical sites gives residents and property owners a sense of pride while helping revitalize neighborhoods or cities. Heritage pride can bring economic benefits for local businesses as well as residents alike, especially when tourism visits the area.
3. They are a place to learn.
There are countless man-made marvels around the world that will leave you inspired, including architectural masterpieces that capture culture and history that can only be experienced first-hand by visiting these locations.
Teachers know that students learn best when they can connect written records to tangible local places. That’s why Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) provides packages of documents designed to bring history alive for today’s media-age learners.
Cultural and historical sites attract tourism, creating employment for historians, civil engineers, hospitality workers, tour guides and others. Visits to these places also promote physical health as many activities involve walking – helping reduce stress while improving mental wellbeing! Visiting them can even be fun!
4. They create jobs.
National monuments, restored homes, or archeological sites often draw tourist to their sights, who then spend money in hotels, restaurants and transportation costs to and from these attractions. An increase in tourist numbers can boost a town or county economy that may otherwise struggle financially.
Historic places provide jobs to people who care for them, whether historians, architects, archivists, construction workers or tour guides. Preservation requires not only an understanding and appreciation for past events but also a willingness to work collaboratively with a wide array of stakeholders as well as negotiate compromise agreements between all involved.
Teaching with historical places is an engaging way to engage students while developing critical cognitive skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking and research. Students also develop the ability to recognize connections among events, ideas and trends over time.
5. They are a place to visit.
Historical sites attract tourists who spend money and support jobs such as historians, civil engineers, tour guides, hotel staff and transport drivers. Cultural and historic sites also provide opportunities for physical activity: museums, parks, fairs and battlefields often involve walking which is great for personal health.
From climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa to viewing China’s Terracotta Army, there are plenty of historical places around the globe to visit. Independence Hall in Philadelphia stands as an iconic American landmark that marked both Declarations of Independence and Constitutions being signed simultaneously.
Other historic places of note include the pyramids at Giza, Colorado cliff dwellings and Easter Island moai – three of the world’s most renowned monuments.
