When we talk about historic preservation most people attribute it only to an urban context. However, rural preservation - farmsteads, small-town courthouses, mill sites, churches, cemeteries, and archaeological sites, give countryside communities their unique character as well.

Approaching suburban sprawl threatens the very nature of the historic context of the small village, hamlet, or township. Here in the Capital District, it is evident all around us each day. Another rural historic site is either left to decay, or torn down to make way for tracts of tacky housing developments that look like every other housing development in America.

The end result is each surrounding community is losing its unique character and becoming the homogenized copycat sprawl of sameness. How common is it that we see local history cannibalized by these commercial intruders. Visit Rotterdam Mall and you can see the Vedder family cemetery (original owner of land) at the Mall's main entry door, neatly tucked in the corner complete with plaque, or check out Crossgates as they circle and pen in an endangered Karner Blue butterfly colony, along with an exhibit inside promoting the butterfly.

Locally, when one thinks of a poster child for sprawl they often point to Clifton Park. However, one would be surprised to learn that Clifton Park could also be looked at as a model for historic preservation. No, I'm not kidding. The first thing you need to do is NOT go to the malls or visit a subdivision.

Historic preservation started early in Clifton Park. As early as 1975, the Vischer Ferry Historic District was set up to protect this Greek Revival period enclave that includes Greek Revival homes, remnants of the Erie Canal (& lock 19), a dry dock, and part of Fort's Ferry, the town's first settlement.

Since 1978, under the leadership of the Town's historian John Scherer, Clifton Park has developed a number of successful programs to honor its history. The town's Master Plan of 1989 acknowledged the importance of its history and conducted an inventory of historic resources. In 1992, a Historic Preservation Commission was developed with 15 members of the town and serves as an advisor to the town and planning boards. They have also created exhibits, publications, house tours, and created a historic marker program that currently has 31 markers around the town. They also give out preservation awards twice a year for residential and commercial properties and offers workshops on preservation issues.

In 1996, a Clifton Park Register of Historic Places was created and today there are 28 properties listed. Owners of these properties can apply for a tax easement from the town that can cut their assessment in half.

The commission also helps shape policy when developments are introduced that can destroy or alter the historic character of the town. In 1999, the town acquired the historic Grooms Tavern, site of the town's first meeting in April 1828, and is currently renovating it as a museum and cultural center.

Historian John Scherer has written a series of publications about Clifton Park including an Image of America book, a guidebook to historic sites via bicycles, but his "A Guide to Historic Clifton Park," should serve as a model for other towns. This fold out brochure contains a photo of each of the 31 historic sites keyed to a larger map; along with a list of cemeteries; a short history of the town; historic photos, and short intro to some of the architectural types of the town.

The Town of Clifton Park was the last town formed in Saratoga County (separated from the Town of Halfmoon) in 1828, only 12 years after Troy was incorporated. In 1960, the population was 4,512 compared to today's 32,995, almost the size of Troy (49,170).

Perhaps Trojans should look to our northern neighbor of Clifton Park and take some notes. Troy does not have a historic sites commission with 15 people on it, nor has it purchased any important buildings to preserve. On the other hand, it reminds me of a quote from the British historian Sir Lewis Namier, "The enduring achievement of historical study is a historical sense -- and intuitive understanding -- of how things do not work."