Preserving New Smyrna Beach's Heritage

With a few exceptions, the physical remains of the New Smyrna colony are relatively fragile and endangered by development, vandalism, and neglect. Preserving archaeological sites requires planning and commitment. More importantly, it requires education. While most people have an intrinsic interest in the past and in archaeology, they must be educated about the public benefits of studying and preserving important sites.

Why should we save significant elements of our past? Because the past creates and affirms cultural, social, and community identity. In many ways, a community without a past is like a person suffering from amnesia: without memory or physical reminders of past events, there is a loss of identity, social worth, and meaning.

The past resides in the memories of individuals, in historical documents, and in material remains such as buildings and archaeological sites. While the details of the past become blurred as memories fade or individuals pass away, and written accounts of historical events may be biased by political or social contexts, material remains present to us a relatively unbiased representation of past events and processes. They provide tangible expressions of shared values and ideas that can be seen, touched, experienced, and interpreted from a variety of perspectives. For this reason, they are capable of merging the past with the present in a physical, visceral way that is often more powerful than the written or spoken word.

Archaeological and historical sites also contribute to the cultural diversity of a community by including the history and traditions of ethnic and cultural groups different from our own. And since visiting historical sites ranks at the top of many visitors' lists of things to do and see in Florida, preserving and developing historical resources can translate into an increased economic benefit for the state's residents. In short, archaeological resources can contribute to a sustainable community where cultural heritage is valued and nurtured for the benefit of all.