In the bustling landscape of urban development, historic preservation stands as a pivotal force, capable of both invigorating local economies and fostering deeper community bonds. Yet even this duality is not without its complexities. While at its best, preservation initiatives nurture a collective attachment to a location and bolster social cohesion, at its worst, it can exacerbate existing inequalities, pushing marginalized communities further to the fringes. It is within this nuanced terrain that Andrew Hurley’s book chapter, in An Experiment in North St. Louis, documents a remarkable journey of preservation and community empowerment.
The central premise of the book is clear: inner-city communities hold the key to preserving and to transforming blighted landscapes into vibrant assets through grassroots engagement and public interpretation. Drawing upon developments in public history and archaeology, the narrative underscores the importance of aligning historical narratives with locally derived agendas for change, and thereby empowering urban populations to be the architects of their own revitalization.
Hurley’s chapter serves as a beacon to this ethos, showcasing how “working in conjunction with …the University of Missouri – St. Louis,”[1] this collaborative efforts of residents in North St. Louis were successful to preserve their built environment while fortifying community bonds. This extraordinary collaboration exemplifies how interdisciplinary agents can work in concert with the local community to preserve historical sites with reverence for the community and cultivate a progressive environment rooted in the area’s rich heritage.
The narrative unfolds with a chronological exploration of Old North St. Louis, tracing its origins from its founding in 1816 to its annexation by St. Louis in 1841. Over the decades, the area witnessed a decline in population and a subsequent deterioration of community housing. However, a resurgence occurred in the last quarter of the 20th century and into the 21st century. The concerted efforts of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, in collaboration with businesses and the University of St. Louis, fueled this transformation.
Crucially, the narrative highlights the pivotal role of governmental support, notably through tax credit programs, in catalyzing preservation efforts. Hurley points out that “in 1998, 74 mill. Tax credits leveraged nearly 295 mill. Worth of historic rehabilitation activity.”[2] Despite these initiatives, preservation efforts remained geographically selective, focused on the city’s south side, leaving the north end home to a poorer and denser working-class population neglected. Andrew Hurley elaborates on the small steps moving forward in the restoration process and points out significant details such as the renaming this historic district ‘Old North St. Louis’ as “reference to the neighborhood’s roots as an independent village and, simultaneously its current status as a historic district.”[3]
One of the central challenges Hurley explores is the struggle to revise the standard historical narrative to include African American heritage. The struggle of the ‘Old North Neighborhood Partnership’, established in 2001, faced obstacles stemming from the omission of African American history in previous accounts. This required a radical revision int the historical narrative. Yet through innovative approaches such as the adopting an ‘accumulation’ model and integrating archaeological research, the project uncovered obscured histories and promoted cross-cultural understanding.
Archaeology emerged as a crucial tool in uncovering the social organization and the themes of daily life in Old North St. Louis. Despite setbacks, archaeological surveys provided invaluable insights into the area’s past, enriching our understanding of its material culture and neighborhood dynamics. Coupled with oral history, these methods illuminated the neighborhood’s ties to broader economic, social, and demographic forces, showcasing the multifaceted influences shaping its development over time.
The Experiment in North St. Louis yielded positive results across various fronts. Public history initiatives, including exhibits and documentaries, instilled pride in the neighborhood, attracting visitors and fostering increased community engagement. Residents expressed a sense of ownership and accomplishment, with tangible progress evident in housing rehabilitation and ongoing development projects.
Central to the success of the endeavor was the partnership forged with the University of Missouri-St. Louis and other academic institutions. This collaboration facilitated the involvement of higher-education students and faculty, thus providing interdisciplinary resources crucial to the preservationist agenda.
In conclusion, Hurley’s research stands as a testament to the transformative potential of preservation initiatives when grounded in community involvement and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through a careful alignment of historical narratives with contemporary agendas for change, urban communities can reclaim their narratives, revitalize their neighborhoods, and forge a more inclusive future.
The matter of Old North St. Louis’ historical preservation and economic stabilization activities is documented by Andrew Hurley’s research. It shows interdisciplinary constituents with different views and goals needs trying to find consents in order to achieve these goals. Effective communication, readiness for compromises, and appropriate application of research results are pivotal for the process of succeeding in all defined areas of interest for the community, residents, University staff and faculty, and investment partners. Hurley gives a detailed agenda of what causes success but also obstacles in planning out this preservation project.
[1] Hurley, Andrew. Beyond Preservation: Using Public History to Revitalize Inner Cities. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press, 2010. p. 55
[2] Hurley, 59
[3] Hurley, 66
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