Preserving Cultural Landscapes in America

Center Books on Contemporary Landscape Design

by Professor Dolores Hayden (Foreword), Professor Arnold R. Alanen (Editor), Professor Robert Z. Melnick (Editor)

Historic preservation efforts began with an emphasis on buildings, especially those associated with significant individuals, places, or events. Subsequent efforts were expanded to include vernacular architecture, but only in recent decades have preservationists begun shifting focus to the land itself. Cultural landscapes -- such as farms, gardens, and urban parks--are now seen as projects worthy of the preservationist's attention. To date, however, no book has addressed the critical issues involved in cultural landscape preservation. In Preserving Cultural Landscapes in America, Arnold R. Alanen and Robert Z. Melnick bring together a distinguished group of contributors to address the complex academic and practical questions that arise when people set out to designate and preserve a cultural landscape. Beginning with a discussion of why cultural landscape preservation is important, the authors explore such topics as the role of nature and culture, the selling of heritage landscapes, urban parks and cemeteries, Puerto Rican neighborhoods in New York City, vernacular landscapes in small towns and rural areas, ethnographic landscapes, Asian American imprints on the western landscape, and integrity as a value in cultural landscape preservation. Contributors: Arnold R. Alanen, University of Wisconsin-Madison • Luis Aponte-Perés, University of Massachusetts-Boston • Gail Lee Dubrow, University of Washington, Seattle • Richard Francaviglia, University of Texas, Arlington • Donald L. Hardesty, University of Nevada, Reno • Catherine Howett, University of Georgia, Athens • Robert Z. Melnick, University of Oregon • Patricia M. O'Donnell, Historic Preservation Consultant, Charlotte, Vermont • David Schuyler, Franklin & Marshall College

Genres: Architecture, Read For School, History, Heritage Preservation

Hardcover

First published March 2, 2000

Reviews

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of writings that create a very helpful base for anyone new to cultural landscape preservation (especially in the US). It deals with America's unique issues of identity, the dynamics of ever-changing landscapes, and the implications loss of meaning and culture in nature. Really good read.

[k · Rating 4 out of 5]

goated field manual fr. i've used nearly every single theory mentioned in my own practice and can confirm that this is a great and succinct way to explain complicated concepts in ways that will aid in the practice of preservation in public history

[Mike Emett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading for the "History, Memory, and Space" graduate seminar.

[Jennifer Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seminar.