The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Chapel Hill as one of its 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The trust recognizes communities across America that offer cultural and recreational experiences different from those found at the typical vacation destination.
Chapel Hill prizes its legacy, whether that’s basketball or the hard-to-describe feeling you get from strolling down its tree-lined streets, past the Horace Williams House, the Morehead Planetarium, past campus and up Columbia to the Carolina Inn. And yet it couldn’t be more contemporary. Because of that, it’s hard to believe that Chapel Hill, in one incarnation or another, has been here through four different centuries.
Historic preservation is about much more than buildings. It’s about protecting traditions. As they say, you have to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going. That Chapel Hill has been recognized by the National Trust as a town that authentically represents the stories and people of the past is a great honor.
This is only half the trick, though. We’re not a town encased in amber, on display somewhere for the historically curious. We’re that rare place, able to wed economic development and growth without damaging the precious and fragile footprints of our forefathers – and foremothers.
Chapel Hill as the winner of the 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations qualifies to win the 2011â€Fan Favorite†award. This will be chosen by the public via an online vote that ends on March 15. Please join me in voting Chapel Hill # 1 as the 2011 Fan of the Dozen Distinctive Destination program. You must log on to preservationnation.org
Laurie Paolicelli
Executive Director
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau