Historic PreservationAMCV1550, Week 4

Movement’s beginnings

• Mount Vernon Ladies Association (1853)• Designated National Historic Landmark 1960

– Role of women– Grassroots and private– Emphasis on patriotism – Site associated with figure of political importance

Why preserve?

• Historical, educational or archaeological significance• Status• Beauty• Tangible benefits – tax breaks, property values• Tourism• Prevent change• Retain community/cultural traditions

Charleston, SC, historic district

• Colonial Williamsburg (John D. Rockefeller)– The Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg stretches over 301 acres,

and includes 88 original 18th-century structures. Hundreds of houses, shops and public outbuildings are reconstructed on their original foundations. Some buildings are open to the public, while others are

private residences and administrative offices. • Greenfield Village (Henry Ford)• Historic Deerfield

Heritage Society, Houston (Sam Houston Park)

4th Ward Cabin, 1866Kellum-Noble House, 1847

National Legislation

• Protection against development

• Attempt to standardize local rules

• Consider impact on historical property important when evaluating projects

• Expression of national values

• Designation of status and worth

Antiquities Act, 1906 (U.S.)

• Empowered president to designate protected public lands of cultural value (including sites of archaeological or scientific value)

• Devil’s Tower first national monument named• 1979 replaced by Archaeological ResourcesProtection Act

National Park Service

• Created 1916 to manage U.S. national monuments and parks (under Dept of the Interior)

• Dual role of conservation and tourism• Natural parks; historic parks; National Trails;

National Recreation Areas; National Preserves• Nearly 400 sites

National Historic Preservation Act (1966)• To preserve historical and archaeological sites:

– The spirit and direction of the Nation are founded upon and reflected in its historic heritage

• Created National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Landmarks and state historic preservation offices

• Requires federal agencies to evaluate the impact of federally funded or permitted projects on historic properties (Section 106 review)

• National Register lists sites and districts worthy of preservation (overseen by NPS)

What’s significant?

• Age and Integrity: at least 50 yrs old and largely ‘intact’

• Associated with significant– People, events, activities– Architecturally important– Potential to yield important

Historical information through archaeological research

Central Diner, Providence

• Since 1992, also recognition of “traditional cultural property”:

• May require oral history or ethnographic research to identify

“eligible for inclusion in the National Register because of its association with cultural practices or beliefs of a living community that (a) are rooted in that community's history, and (b) are important in maintaining the continuing cultural identity of the community. “

Watts Towers, Los Angeles(National Historic Landmark 1990)

Navajo Nation CouncilChamber, AZ (NHL 2004)

U.S.S. Arizona shipwreck, HI (NHL 1989)Dupont Circle, DC, (National Historic District 1978)

Garden Bowl, Detroit

• City’s and country’s oldest continually operating bowling alley (1913)

• Listed on National Register in 2008 (NR application)