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Premiered: May 12, 2008
Additional airdates: Saturday, May 17 at 3 pm and Sunday, June 15 at 9 pm
NJN Digital: Saturday, May 17 at 3 pm and Sunday, June 15 at 9 pm
 Watch Online
Every year, thousands of historic buildings in the United States are torn down to make way for new construction. Others face their demise through vandalism and fire. When a building is no longer considered useful, it often becomes abandoned. Houses, libraries, mills and entire towns have met this fate. Eventually, time and the elements lead to collapse and ruin.
Cities contain some of the most outstanding architecture, yet special buildings here are often neglected and stand empty. They become viewed as relics of the past. Eyesores fit for the wrecking ball. Only people with creative vision see new life in the bricks and mortar.
 Many would think that our significant historic treasures are safe for future generations. These, too, are often at risk. Both state and national historic sites suffer from a lack of adequate funding. The home of Walt Whitman and the laboratories of Thomas Edison have undergone major restorations, but they are both in need of additional money for preservation and interpretation.
Our Vanishing Past explores the historic places that tell the story of America. It showcases the craftsmanship that went into constructing buildings in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. It also highlights the recent past including the 1950s era Doo Wop motels in Wildwood. The unifying thread that connects all of these historic buildings is that they either face a struggle to survive or they have been rescued from abandonment.
 The documentary features more than 30 historic places throughout New Jersey, from crumbling ruins in forgotten towns to spectacular restorations in major cities. The show also includes as many as 50 interviews with dedicated people working to save America’s vibrant past, including Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; Ted Gordon, Pinelands historian & botanist; John Gomez, founder of the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy; Ulana Zakalak, historic preservation consultant and Jack Morey, founder of the Doo Wop Preservation League.
The documentary also looks at successful preservation efforts, from grassroots citizens groups to innovative developers. The Victor in Camden is one of the few remaining buildings from the vast RCA/Victor empire. Developer Carl Dranoff converted this abandoned structure into upscale apartments at a time when few believed in the city’s renaissance. In Jersey City, the largest historic preservation tax credit project in the country is showcased. This complex of 10 art deco high rises was originally built as a medical center and is now being transformed into a residential community called The Beacon.
The program shows how individuals can make a difference by serving as volunteers, buying historic houses and working with town leaders to help preserve the historic character of main streets and neighborhoods. The efforts of a teen preservation group called SAVE (Sustaining Architectural Vitality in the Environment) are highlighted. The group gives tours and organizes clean-ups and rallies to preserve historic buildings. The show also travels to Lambertville and Salem to discover the economic and environmental benefits of preserving and adaptively reusing historic buildings.
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