By Stephanie Vaccaro, Staff Writer
ROCKY HILL — As Rocky Hill gears up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its historic district this year, it’s clear that preservation is about more than quaint architecture.
”With the economic shifts and the realization that we need to build more compactly and build walkable communities and be more sustainable, the historic model is proving to be relevant, as opposed to the sprawling, large-scale developments that surround us,” said Susan Bristol, member of the Preservation Celebration Committee.
As part of the celebration, historic preservation nominations are being taken for properties and buildings in Rocky Hill. The deadline for nominations is July 31.
They are also accepting original poems, artwork and photography that celebrate the historic district.
The theme is “History in Your Own Backyard:” the people, houses, buildings and places in the borough, past and present, that make it meaningful to you. Recognitions will be made during a community picnic scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 9.
Rocky Hill has a variety of occupants in its historic properties, including churches, businesses, residences and even the fire company operates out of its historic location.
”Rocky Hill adopted a historic preservation ordinance, which goes with that designation, and it’s been in effect for 30 years with varying degrees of success.” said Ms. Bristol.
Attaining the historic designation status hinges on having a critical mass of significant properties that contribute to the district.
”The most important thing is that the district has been identified as a coherent collection of properties and structures that are of specific historic character overall,” said Ms. Bristol. “That character is defined by the size and the scale and the style of the building as well as the building types. And the pattern of development is really important because the pattern of development in a historic district is typically more quirky and smaller-scale than contemporary zoning districts. So the historic ordinance is an overlay zone that influences any of the multiple bulk zones within the district.”
”Historic districts are difficult to form and to designate,” said Ms. Bristol. “It takes a lot of work and research, but it’s also challenging to implement an ordinance and continue the preservation work that the ordinance is supposed to inspire.”
Greed and ignorance are among the largest threats to a historic district, said Ms. Bristol.
”Most folks who support the ongoing stewardship of the historic district believe that it helps protect property values,” said Ms. Bristol.
”With limited natural resources, historic developments like Rocky Hill always tend to be really close to or surrounded by natural resources because historically that’s how people chose settlement locations – it was either rivers or farmable land, whatever resource were needed by a community, that’s where they settled,” said Ms. Bristol.
”More and more I think people are realizing that historic resources and natural resources go hand in hand and need to be protected and need to be recognized together. This isn’t about an isolated historic building, out remote as an artifact, it’s a network. It’s a community, and it’s a building pattern that’s worth understanding and protecting and emulating even.”
Nominations may be made by emailing [email protected].
Artwork submissions may be dropped off at the Mary Jacobs Library, sent via US Mail to P.O. Box 814, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553 or emailed.
