Historians say that if we don't learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Historic preservationists say if we don't protect history, we'll lose it.

Not every town has a historic area advisory committee. But not every town has as much history as Lititz.

"Historic preservation is a view into the past, and it tells the story of how we got here today," said Timothy Essig, chairman of the Lititz Historic Area Advisory Committee (LHAAC). "What makes historic preservation so important is that we learn so much from it. You could ask 10 different individuals, 'What does historic preservation mean?' and you'd get 10 different answers."

A local government committee made up of seven members and associated with Lititz Borough, LHAAC works closely with the Lititz Zoning Hearing Board in an advisory capacity on decisions on exterior changes to buildings and structures in the downtown's historic area.

LHAAC doesn't actively engage in historic preservation, apply for government grants for historic preservation or anything like that. But the committee does support, promote and advocate for historic preservation in Lititz.

The actual act of historic preservation is performed privately, by individuals, property owners and business owners.

"There are a number of people in Lititz involved with historic preservations besides LHAAC," said Essig. "The committee is made up of dedicated individuals who care about the community and historic preservation. Every one of us has a passion for history. The committee is dedicated to preserving the historical authenticity and historic heritage of Lititz. The advisory committee takes its job very seriously."

Lititz's historical area shares many of the same buildings and structures with the downtown's business district. It's an area that includes the blocks of Main Street primarily west of Linden Hall School for Girls, a couple of blocks north of East Main Street and one block south.

"What's interesting about our historic district is that we're not just talking about the literal building blocks of our town, (but) we're also talking about the figurative ones," said Essig. "It's the charm of our town. Lititz has more standing Colonial structures than historic Williamsburg. These structures give Lititz its historic feel."

"The historic buildings are important to defining the historic character of Lititz, and it must be preserved," added Essig. "Lititz is a quaint little historic mecca. We have thousands of visitors from all over the country and the world coming to Lititz every year because of its historic feel."

Each year, LHAAC reviews 25 to 30 written and submitted applications for exterior changes to buildings in the Lititz historic area. The applications involve everything from windows, doors, porches, lighting and landscaping to roofs, additions, signs, facades and even colors.

"We provide specific advice for each case," said Essig. "We can't tell an owner of a building what the defining character is. We can provide an expertise. We work through certain guidelines and provide assistance. There are certain guidelines, but it's a person's personal property. There's only so much we can do."

So how much historic preservation has been performed in Lititz over the years?

"That question can go back to 1757, when the town was founded," said Essig. "Each generation has interpreted the historic significance of buildings. The more important question may be, 'What does the future hold for historic preservation?' History isn't was; history is. Not all history can be saved."

For additional information about the Lititz Historic Area Advisory Committee, go to http://www.lititzborough.org.