Priceless Prince George's - washingtonpost.com

As the county revels in its renaissance, it must preserve its history.

Among her Washington area neighbors, Prince George's County resembles the family aunt living with old furnishings in the original homestead. Surrounding jurisdictions opted for high-rise condos, Tysons Corner shopping and McMansions jammed onto historic farmland. For decades, these sibling jurisdictions tossed out the old-fashioned goods and built modern.

But as in "Antiques Roadshow," the old gal who didn't update the goods gets the last laugh. Gracious structures and open vistas are the county's building blocks to a grander future. Protecting more fragile, historic properties are the key to a comeback that will transform Prince George's into the region's next premier place to work and live.