Before and After Restoration or Preservation

In architectural preservation, we often hear people talk about neglected historic buildings in a negative manner maninly because they don't look good now. Like, "That old place... it should be torn down." But remember, that once a historic architectural cultural asset is torn down, it is gone forever.

Do you donate your car to charity once the new car smell is gone?

Do you throw out your shoes after one wear or once they get a small scuff?

Would you just kill anyone because they had a pot belly or acne scarring?

Well condemning a valuable building while it still has life in it is along the same lines. In actuality, persecuting a building that may already fated to demolition is akin to kicking a man when he's already down. So once and for all - let's put that myth to rest. Buildings generally do not look good before restoration and preservation. That is exactly why they need restoration. Unfortunately, not everyone is an architect with the vision required to see what preservation can do. So here's a primer on what restoration can accomplish in other areas...

Before and After Restoration of Old or Antique Cars

The most common example that people can relate to is the restoration of old cars. They often start off in very rough condition.

This clunker is ready for the Pick yer Parts junkyard image courtesy kent.police.uk

okay – so it's cool and old, but it needs TOO much work. image courtesy vintageimportparts.com

Auto wrecks get salvaged all the time. image courtesy www.dungan-racing.com

This thing was trashed and not worth fixing up image courtesy www.importandsports.com

Before and After Restoration of Old Household Goods

How about household objects that look like they are ready for the Salvation Army?

Throw that piece of junk washer out! image courtesy automaticwasher.org

Look ma! Firewood! image courtesy markellsantiques.com

Put that crummy old upholstered chair in the attic. courtesy casildadecoratingstudio.com

Donate those old shoes to charity. Shoes courtesy cuyahogabend on flickr.com

Before and After Preservation of Arts and Antiques

They restore fine pieces of art for museums don't they?

Melt down that old corroded piece of junk. You can get money for the scrap metal! Infantry Monument at the Antietam National Battlefield in Pennsylvania image courtesy National Park Service

It's a pretty picture, but hasn't it lost its value now that it's all wrinkled and torn? 19th Century poster advertising Buffalo Bill Cody's "Wild West" Show image courtesy of www.theartofrestoration.com

What? You can't play that old piece of junk. Civil war coronet image courtesy excelsiorcornetband.com

How long has that statue been sitting out in the garden anyway? Madonna Artwork image courtesy www.framemuseums.org

Before and After Restoration of Damaged Property

Buildings and landscapes also can have radical before and after looks after the ravages of natural causes and age...

Who cares about that old marshy land? It's an eyesore. Restored Kenilworth Marshland near Washington DC

After a fire, clearly, this place has no hope whatsoever. image courtesy purocleanrestorationcleaning.com

That place has been abandoned for so long, how can they possibly fix it up? History is not torn down in the UK. image courtesy of www.churchtown.net

Who would want to live in this old run-down town? Complete village makeover near Dublin, Ireland image courtesy churchtown.net

Before and After Preservation of Historic Architecture

The Hiberrian Hall in Boston has one of the largest dance floors in the city. However, the building fell into disrepair over the years as the surrounding community went south. It is now the home to the Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hiberrian Hall. images courtesy fieldstonealliance.org

Give Preservation a Chance!

So put it all together and yes, you can have historic restoration of old or neglected buildings. All it takes is a little optimism on your part and belief in the preservationists that can envision the end result.