Our cultural heritage, which is represented in buildings, structures, and sites, can make a significant contribution to present day society. As its name implies, historic preservation seeks to identify and preserve these landmarks for our use, education, observation, and pleasure.
Historic preservation is present on national, state and local levels.
These programs and others were established through the National Preservation Act of 1966. Historic areas can be designated as historic districts, while specific sites can be designated as landmarks. The purpose of both designations is to offer protection for sites and allow for compatible modifications of them. The National Trust for Historic Preservation. At the state level, there is the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, whose director oversees the functions of the national preservation program.