historic preservation
Encompasses a broad range ofa ctivities related to preservation and conservation of the built environment by physical and intellectual methods; by the late 20th century, its principles also contributed to protection of rehistoric archaeological and paleontological sites; early North American activities include the founding of the American Antiquarian Society in 1812 and the purchase of Independence Hall by the city of Philadelphia in 1816 to prevent its demolition. (Bucher, 1996)