The value in old stuff

The school really has changed by a million miles and one. Just look at the (background of) my class photo of 101 '06 to get an idea of what I mean:
Look at the background of trees lining the corridor.They have since been non-existent, banished to nowhere. The brick-covered courtyard too, has since been covered with concrete, to use as an assembly area. The beauty of the old courtyard is also gone, forever.

The wise people say that the oldest stuff (ie. antiques) have the most value in them, for it is impossible to reconstruct an antique to it's aged but elegant exterior. How true must this be!