Why is Cultural Historical Heritage Important

The answer to this question needs to be viewed in two parts. The first part looks at historical cultural heritage and the second looks at present day cultural heritage.

To understand the value of historical heritage, one needs to ask the question, why is history important? Answers will be many and varied with numerous conflicting views. However, for the purpose of linking history and heritage the comment by William Lund’s (1886 – 1971, a church historian Salt Lake City) will suffice – “We study the past to understand the present; we understand the present to guide the future.” History does more than provide an understanding of the present – history is the spiritual link between the past and present and in world where one’s existence is constantly under pressure, the spiritual link between past and present offers some form of stability and security. Effectively it is the foundation upon which one’s existence is built and which offers some understanding of the future. This raises the question, if there is no foundation on which to build the future, how much greater will be the uncertainty about the present and, at what cost to society?