Statewide – The state’s rich heritage is under a silent attack. Whether through neglect, abandonment or constantly encroaching development, many of New Jersey’s historic places are deteriorating or being replaced by new construction. The places in which we grew up, the offices and factories where our parents worked, the old neighborhoods and our favorite stores downtown are at risk – and with them, our sense of place. Find out what we’re losing and who’s working to save it in Our Vanishing Past – a special NJN documentary filmed in high definition that airs on NJN on Monday, May 12 at 9 pm; and Saturday, May 17 at 3 pm.

SPECIAL HIGH DEFINITION SCREENING AT NJN’S TRENTON STUDIO
The public is invited to enjoy a special screening of Our Vanishing Past in high definition at NJN’s Trenton Studio on Tuesday, May 6 at 5 pm. There is no charge for admittance, but registration is requested! Reserve your space online or call (800) 882-6622 by May 1.

OUR BUILDINGS, OUR HISTORY AND OUR ARCHITECTURE
NJN’s Our Vanishing Past examines the relationship between us and our buildings, our history and our architecture – and the impressions we receive in our daily, every day contacts with historic buildings. From the Doo Wop motels in Wildwood during the fabulous fifties to the historic structures that witnessed American’s struggle for independence and the safe houses on the Underground Railroad, our connection to the past is disintegrating. Historic buildings are struggling to survive and frequently not succeeding. With each passing year, the chance to experience history firsthand diminishes.

In this one-hour documentary filmed in HD, you will meet some of the people on the frontline of historic preservation. Ted Gordon, Pine Barrens historian and botanist, notes, “Within the past thirty years, probably 80 percent of the structures that I photographed in the Pines have disappeared – and that’s an alarming rate.”

TOWNS THAT TURN AROUND
There are exceptions. Towns do turn around, buildings are saved and main streets are preserved. Lambertville’s historic architecture houses art galleries and inviting restaurants that entice tourists, while residents of all ages and economic groups live in historic homes in comfortable neighborhoods that make up this vibrant community. Salem’s master plan encourages the redevelopment of vacant buildings and identifies what needs to be saved in the community – and the number of new businesses is growing. Important tools such as the Federal Historic Tax Credit have spurred economic revival. The Victor building in Camden was once a factory in the vast RCA complex. For many years it remained abandoned until developer Carl Dranoff utilized historic tax credits to help transform the building into beautiful apartments.

ADAPTIVE REUSE
The documentary features other spectacular restorations including the Essex County Courthouse as well as innovative efforts to adaptively reuse buildings. The New Community Corporation converted an abandoned church in Newark into a restaurant and office space for its corporate offices. Condemned houses are turned into gracious homes. Factories and labs overflowing with ideas and inventions such as Edison National Historic Site welcome kids and grown ups alike to see history close up.

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, sums it up, “There is nothing to compare with walking through a place touching it, feeling it.” Our Vanishing Past will show you what we’re losing – and what some dedicated people in New Jersey are working to save.

OUR VANISHING PAST DVD
You can reserve a DVD copy of this program for only $24.95. Place your order now: call (800) 882-6622 or email your request to answers@njn.org.

Written and produced by Lynn Kosek Walker. Edited by Jeff Reisly. Executive producer is Janice Selinger. Narrated by Lester Holt. Major funding provided by the New Jersey Historic Trust, The 1772 Foundation, American Express, and the Holly Beach Public Library Association. Additional funding provided by the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Charles Edison Fund.

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