Endangered Heritage: Communities Grappling with Loss and Seeking Preservation

Washington D.C. – From the eroding shorelines of the Pamunkey Indian Reservation to the decaying walls of a historic Black hotel, communities across the United States are facing the imminent loss of places deeply interwoven with their history and identity. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, has released its annual list of America’s 11 most endangered historic places, highlighting sites threatened by climate change, neglect, and development pressures.

The Pamunkey Indian Reservation, located in the Tidewater region of Virginia, is one such place teetering on the brink. Ashley Spivey, an enrolled member of the Pamunkey Indians, has witnessed firsthand the relentless erosion that gnaws away at her community’s ancestral land. Decades of climate-related challenges, including rising sea levels, increased flooding, and relentless erosion along the Pamunkey River, have pushed the reservation towards an uncertain future.

"It’s unfathomable," Spivey said, grappling with the potential displacement of her community. "I can’t even begin to imagine us not having the ability to live in this place. I know that this isn’t necessarily true, but I feel like the loss of this place is the loss of our identity because of what its meant for our people for so long." Spivey, who holds a doctorate in anthropology, estimates that within 75 to 100 years, the reservation may become uninhabitable. Tribal leaders are already exploring relocation options, a testament to the severity of the situation.

The reservation’s inclusion on the endangered list is a crucial step, leaders hope, in garnering attention, building momentum, and attracting financial support to mitigate the land loss. "This reservation is one of the reasons why our tribe has been able to survive, is the reason why we still have cultural traditions and traditions like self-governance," Spivey emphasized. "It’s tied to our identity as an Indigenous community."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, chartered by Congress in 1949, dedicates approximately a year to selecting sites for its endangered list. The organization considers various factors, including the site’s significance to the community, the presence of strong partnerships to support preservation efforts, and the potential impact of preservation.

"They’re compelling because of the stories they hold and because of what will happen there after they’re preserved," said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The listings, which began in 1988, do not come with direct funding, but they often serve as a catalyst for increased awareness and support.

"Getting on their list allows us to be basically put on the map and to bring national, hopefully, awareness to what our community is facing, to then build that momentum hopefully around securing funds," Spivey said.

Far from the eroding shores of Virginia, in Idlewild, Michigan, stands the Hotel Casa Blanca, a relic of a bygone era. The hotel, dormant for three decades since it housed a daycare center, was once a vibrant hub of Black culture and entertainment. During its heyday in the 1950s and 60s, Hotel Casa Blanca drew Black musicians like Aretha Franklin and thought leaders, including W.E.B Du Bois. Entrepreneurs like Madam CJ Walker also frequented the establishment. It was even listed in the Green Book, a vital travel guide that provided Black travelers with safe lodging options during the Jim Crow era.

"It’s history – musical history, African American history, American history," said Roni McGregory, project manager for 1st Neighbor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the hotel. "There’s a lot of stories in that building that need to be preserved."

Today, the windows of the brick building are boarded up, a stark reminder of its decline. Recent efforts have focused on asbestos removal and the restoration of electricity. However, its inclusion on the endangered sites list offers a beacon of hope, acknowledging both its rich past and its potential future.

McGregory envisions a restored hotel that would not only provide much-needed accommodations in the predominantly Black resort vacation area but also contribute to the local economy. The organization hopes to raise enough funds for the $5 million project, transforming the hotel into a bed and breakfast. The 10 to 12 rooms would be named after the famous figures who once graced its halls.

"That building holds a lot of history and for it to be demolished or not be able to be rehabbed would be a shame," McGregory said. "It’s got good bones. (But) there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to bring it back."

Venturing further west to Los Angeles, supporters are battling to save the last two remaining buildings of a Japanese American fishing village that significantly contributed to the tuna industry more than 80 years ago. The project, known as the Terminal Island Japanese American Tuna Street Buildings, aims to preserve the vacant structures and potentially repurpose them as a cultural center or a general store, reminiscent of the 1940s.

"We can tell the story of this amazing part of the American story and honor the legacy of the folks that helped to build an important industry," Quillen said.

The area also holds a more somber history. It was the first Japanese American community forcibly removed and sent to internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

"This is the place where it started and most people don’t know that story," said Adrian Scott Fine, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Conservancy. "We believe that it’s much more real and tangible to tell these types of stories when the place still exists and these two buildings are the only thing that remain. Another part of Terminal Island was included on the National Trust’s 2012 list."

Supporters are optimistic that the new listing will generate increased interest and support. Additionally, some city officials are advocating for the designation of the buildings as historic cultural monuments.

"These two buildings, in some ways, are the last remaining symbols of that community itself," Scott Fine said. "That’s part of why it’s so important."

These endangered sites, along with others on the list, represent a diverse tapestry of American history and culture. Their preservation is not merely about saving buildings or landscapes, but about safeguarding the stories, identities, and traditions of the communities they represent.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list also includes:
Other communities in North Carolina still struggling after last year’s Hurricane Helene.
A resort in New Yorks Catskill Mountains.
A chateau in Arizona.