Carl Smith makes a compelling argument about the use of the internet in his article "Can You Do Serious History on the Web?" Being a designer of an enormous online exhibit himself, Smith weighs the pros and cons of using this form of technology for serious academics. While he admits that the internet is by no means flawless, its advantages greatly outweigh any disadvantages. According to Smith, serious history is "original work that is responsibly based on primary sources, is intelligently informed by relevant scholarship, and makes a clear argument or group of arguments." This can absolutely be seen on the web not only through online exhibitions, but in various academic historical websites.
One example of serious history on the web is the website we are currently constructing in Public History. Smith even points out that students constructing academic websites is one of the best uses of serious history on the web. We are compiling a variety of sources, including the Fallschase interviews, archived materials, recommended readings, and historical site reviews to construct a narrative about environmental history in the Big Bend. While unfortunately there are bad websites available, our class is embracing technology in order to promote serious history on the web.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Other Suburbanites
"The Other Suburbanites" by Andrew Wiese tells the story of African American suburbs before the 1950s in the United States. Mainly focusing on a community near Cleveland called Chagrin Falls Park, Wiese tells about the differing perspectives of African American suburbs. He recalls that outsiders, especially white people, have viewed these areas as slums, places that are run down and unattractive. However, past community residents had a much different view, and believe they made better lives for themselves and lived the suburban American dream. Wiese draws attention to the fact that historians have largely focused on white, middle class suburbs when analyzing the role suburbs have played in history. His research aims to change this by studying African American suburbs, and cultivating an understanding as to why these areas are just as historically important.
One of the reasons for Chagrin Falls Park's importance is the rich oral history provided by the community. Sixty oral interviews were conducted during Wiese's research. These interviews provided first hand information about what it was like constructing a new community and establishing new homes and jobs. This use of oral history is highly beneficial to Wiese's article, as it draws the reader in and facilitates making a connection to the past. Employing oral history is a much more effective technique than Wiese simply restating his research for the reader.
Wiese also makes other arguments about the importance of Chagrin Falls Park. This suburb is an example of what happened in urban areas after the Great Migration. The history of race and class relations in the community is very tense and negative. Things like zoning restrictions served to isolate African Americans from other white areas. However, even through such adversity, opportunities like owning land, building houses, and better jobs enlivened these suburbs. Weise's final point about the uniqueness and importance of the area is how Chagrin Falls Park survived due to a strong network of friends and families that stablized and supported each other and the community throughout the history of the area.
One of the reasons for Chagrin Falls Park's importance is the rich oral history provided by the community. Sixty oral interviews were conducted during Wiese's research. These interviews provided first hand information about what it was like constructing a new community and establishing new homes and jobs. This use of oral history is highly beneficial to Wiese's article, as it draws the reader in and facilitates making a connection to the past. Employing oral history is a much more effective technique than Wiese simply restating his research for the reader.
Wiese also makes other arguments about the importance of Chagrin Falls Park. This suburb is an example of what happened in urban areas after the Great Migration. The history of race and class relations in the community is very tense and negative. Things like zoning restrictions served to isolate African Americans from other white areas. However, even through such adversity, opportunities like owning land, building houses, and better jobs enlivened these suburbs. Weise's final point about the uniqueness and importance of the area is how Chagrin Falls Park survived due to a strong network of friends and families that stablized and supported each other and the community throughout the history of the area.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sellar's Preserving Nature in the National Parks
Preserving Nature in the National Parks by Richard West Sellars offers an historical overview of the National Parks Service in the U.S. Sellers' experience allows him to give a detailed view of the history because he has been a historian for over twenty years with the NPS. His research for the book involved using historical files from NPS, other secondary sources, individual accounts from past and present NPS employees, as well as his own experiences.
Nature preservation is the issue Sellars is most concerned about. He presents the issue throughout the book and the different ways that it has been approached during the history of the NPS. Beginning with the establishment of Yellowstone in 1872, the first national park aimed to preserve the land from exploitation. This has been the goal of NPS from inception, but this goal has been and is still being challenged today.
The conflict is between those who want complete nature preservation of the parks, and those who believe tourism should dictate the land use. Sellars believes that more and more parks are becoming tourist traps with so many amenities that the areas are losing their pristine nature. The role of NPS employees has also changed too, by becoming more bureaucratic, losing the authority they once held, and dealing with a disconnect from nature by spending more time in park offices. Nature preservationists would like to see tourists limited to certain areas of the park to be able to more effectively protect precious flora and fauna.
While the challenges of modern day tourism are certainly present in the NPS, other modern advantages are being utilized to help combat this issue. Ecological science is now being employed within the NPS to help manage and preserve wildlife, which has not been the case for most of NPS history. This tool is adding an ethical commitment to preserving nature, because as more native species and areas of critical need are being identified through ecological science, the NPS should be morally obligated to protect them.
As the NPS loses more authoritative control over what is happening in America's parks, the debate between tourism and preservation will continue. Sellars believes that tourism is important, and that the parks should serve the visitor, but a line has to be drawn in order to protect the natural inhabitants of the land. While I love to enjoy the outdoors by hiking and camping, I don't feel I have the right or the need to explore every corner of every park I visit. Nature can still be experienced without trespassing on the homes of native plants and animals that should be respected. If nature preservations lose the battle to preserve these areas, there will be no untouched land left in the parks for this wildlife to thrive, and it will be environmentally detrimental for generations to come.
Nature preservation is the issue Sellars is most concerned about. He presents the issue throughout the book and the different ways that it has been approached during the history of the NPS. Beginning with the establishment of Yellowstone in 1872, the first national park aimed to preserve the land from exploitation. This has been the goal of NPS from inception, but this goal has been and is still being challenged today.
The conflict is between those who want complete nature preservation of the parks, and those who believe tourism should dictate the land use. Sellars believes that more and more parks are becoming tourist traps with so many amenities that the areas are losing their pristine nature. The role of NPS employees has also changed too, by becoming more bureaucratic, losing the authority they once held, and dealing with a disconnect from nature by spending more time in park offices. Nature preservationists would like to see tourists limited to certain areas of the park to be able to more effectively protect precious flora and fauna.
While the challenges of modern day tourism are certainly present in the NPS, other modern advantages are being utilized to help combat this issue. Ecological science is now being employed within the NPS to help manage and preserve wildlife, which has not been the case for most of NPS history. This tool is adding an ethical commitment to preserving nature, because as more native species and areas of critical need are being identified through ecological science, the NPS should be morally obligated to protect them.
As the NPS loses more authoritative control over what is happening in America's parks, the debate between tourism and preservation will continue. Sellars believes that tourism is important, and that the parks should serve the visitor, but a line has to be drawn in order to protect the natural inhabitants of the land. While I love to enjoy the outdoors by hiking and camping, I don't feel I have the right or the need to explore every corner of every park I visit. Nature can still be experienced without trespassing on the homes of native plants and animals that should be respected. If nature preservations lose the battle to preserve these areas, there will be no untouched land left in the parks for this wildlife to thrive, and it will be environmentally detrimental for generations to come.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Landmarks and Legacy Tour
I was not able to make the tour this year, but last year's tour was so enjoyable that it left a lasting impression upon me. I learned so much that I never knew about Tallahassee. This was quite embarrassing for me and I hate to admit it because I am a Tallahassee native, but I have taken the history of this city for granted. I was shocked at how unfamiliar I was with much of the information our guide bestowed upon us. In that manner, the tour was especially interesting to me because I really felt connected to the stories the guide shared. Obviously I wasn’t around when the history was being made, but to know that I’ve driven past Marvin St. hundreds of times and never even knew about the area of Smoky Hollow really opened my eyes.
In addition to the unique Smoky Hollow houses, the few original Frenchtown houses really caught my eye. Growing up I had only ever been through the more rundown areas of the district, and those few houses were hidden away like glittering gems. The stories our guide told about the activism in the neighborhood were inspiring. Even though they may not have enough support to form a whole historical district, the fact that a few individuals want to preserve the past is always encouraging.
The cemeteries were also an interesting addition to the tour. I knew Tallahassee contained some very old cemeteries, but I was not aware of the history behind the establishment of Greenwood. I also enjoyed hearing about the May 20th celebration of the Union Soldiers in the Old City Cemetery. That was a real connection to the past which makes me feel like that important moment in history is still alive and not forgotten. However, the stories of such racial tension were uncomfortable to hear about, and that is what makes this tour still important and relevant today. These issues have not died and been buried with the soldiers in their graves, as the entire tour illustrated with different stories about race relations in the city. We should learn from these stories and strive to make a change in our community, both within the field of historic preservation and the tolerance and acceptance of diverse peoples and perspectives.
While I did realize that Tallahassee was established before the Civil War, I never equated that with Tallahassee being an area of plantations. Our stop at Goodwood was enlightening and also spectacular. I can’t imagine living in the splendor of those ornate rooms way back when! As beautiful as the area is, I was troubled that they hardly mentioned the slaves that worked the plantation. Maybe this is because they do not in fact know much about these slaves, but I would have liked to hear more about that aspect to give fair dues to all who lived at Goodwood.
Overall, I learned a great deal more than I ever expected to on this tour. While I griped all morning about waking up on a Saturday to do something school related, it could not have been more worth the experience. In fact I was so excited about learning more about historical Tallahassee that I managed to get a few more tours pamphlets from our guide and have since dragged some friends around on a self-guided historic tour!
In addition to the unique Smoky Hollow houses, the few original Frenchtown houses really caught my eye. Growing up I had only ever been through the more rundown areas of the district, and those few houses were hidden away like glittering gems. The stories our guide told about the activism in the neighborhood were inspiring. Even though they may not have enough support to form a whole historical district, the fact that a few individuals want to preserve the past is always encouraging.
The cemeteries were also an interesting addition to the tour. I knew Tallahassee contained some very old cemeteries, but I was not aware of the history behind the establishment of Greenwood. I also enjoyed hearing about the May 20th celebration of the Union Soldiers in the Old City Cemetery. That was a real connection to the past which makes me feel like that important moment in history is still alive and not forgotten. However, the stories of such racial tension were uncomfortable to hear about, and that is what makes this tour still important and relevant today. These issues have not died and been buried with the soldiers in their graves, as the entire tour illustrated with different stories about race relations in the city. We should learn from these stories and strive to make a change in our community, both within the field of historic preservation and the tolerance and acceptance of diverse peoples and perspectives.
While I did realize that Tallahassee was established before the Civil War, I never equated that with Tallahassee being an area of plantations. Our stop at Goodwood was enlightening and also spectacular. I can’t imagine living in the splendor of those ornate rooms way back when! As beautiful as the area is, I was troubled that they hardly mentioned the slaves that worked the plantation. Maybe this is because they do not in fact know much about these slaves, but I would have liked to hear more about that aspect to give fair dues to all who lived at Goodwood.
Overall, I learned a great deal more than I ever expected to on this tour. While I griped all morning about waking up on a Saturday to do something school related, it could not have been more worth the experience. In fact I was so excited about learning more about historical Tallahassee that I managed to get a few more tours pamphlets from our guide and have since dragged some friends around on a self-guided historic tour!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Road Trips Through History
Author Dwight Young presents a collection of his essays from Preservation Magazine in his work Road Trips Through History. This unique book highlights the importance of the historic preservation movement. Young seamlessly connects the physical side of preservation with the emotional impact of preservationist work. We do not preserve historical sites only because they look pretty. We preserve these sites because of our emotional attachment to them and the history they represent. Young conveys this sentiment by emphasizing the human element in the movement; special people with a passion for the past have made historic preservation possible.
Young shows many aspects of the movement throughout the book. He writes about important individuals and their impact on preservation. Telling about small grassroots movements, Young illustrates that they have affected change in their areas by preserving local history. Larger, well organized movements and nation wide groups have also played an integral role in preservation through the entire history of the movement. Young also addresses preservation law in many of the articles, and how preservation is helped and hindered by these laws.
The first section of the book focuses on national trends and by calling attention to local examples. Young draws upon specific issues like downtown restoration, battlefield preservation, preservation guidelines, and even quirkier examples such as the Slow Food movement. The point of this section is to show that if it can be done in one community, it can be done in any community. It is up to individuals to come together as a community to make a change and lead the movement in their area. The most unconventional preservation example of community action resulting in a national trend is night sky preservation. This shows us that for something to become a national trend, it only has to start in one community.
Young approaches the second section of the book from a different angle, shifting to concentrate on individual preservationists. This approach underscores the necessity of strong individual leaders to invigorate a movement, specifically the historic preservation movement. He tells about Barbara Capitman restoring Miami Beach and Ann Pamela Cunningham as "the mother of the American preservation movement." While community participation is the core of the preservation movement, individual leaders are invaluable.
The final section of Young's work is about specific architecture and the emotional connections made with these structures. Emotional connections are made because of appreciation for the physical beauty of these buildings, which is intensified by their historical context. This is the reason that drives preservationists. They are people who understand the importance of the physical and emotional beauty of preservation, and are in the field to because of their love to share this with others. Details are also important to Young, and he conveys the message that unique architectural details are what make preserving many historic sites paramount. Young argues that the appreciation for historical architecture may be more important to the movement than any cultural or socioeconomic benefits. He brings examples from his travels around the world to make this point, citing Russia, the American South, U.S. cemeteries, and several U.S. cities.
Young skillfully weaves all of these individuals essays into a narrative about the bigger picture of
historic preservation. While addressing specific issues, he shows overarching themes that are present in the movement. His writing is humorous and easy to connect with, while at the same time challenges the reader to think about the impact of preservation. His arguments about emotional connections to preservation hit the nail on the head, because being a preservationist is not an easy job. It is done because of a passion and love for individual places that unite us in the movement of historic preservation.
Young shows many aspects of the movement throughout the book. He writes about important individuals and their impact on preservation. Telling about small grassroots movements, Young illustrates that they have affected change in their areas by preserving local history. Larger, well organized movements and nation wide groups have also played an integral role in preservation through the entire history of the movement. Young also addresses preservation law in many of the articles, and how preservation is helped and hindered by these laws.
The first section of the book focuses on national trends and by calling attention to local examples. Young draws upon specific issues like downtown restoration, battlefield preservation, preservation guidelines, and even quirkier examples such as the Slow Food movement. The point of this section is to show that if it can be done in one community, it can be done in any community. It is up to individuals to come together as a community to make a change and lead the movement in their area. The most unconventional preservation example of community action resulting in a national trend is night sky preservation. This shows us that for something to become a national trend, it only has to start in one community.
Young approaches the second section of the book from a different angle, shifting to concentrate on individual preservationists. This approach underscores the necessity of strong individual leaders to invigorate a movement, specifically the historic preservation movement. He tells about Barbara Capitman restoring Miami Beach and Ann Pamela Cunningham as "the mother of the American preservation movement." While community participation is the core of the preservation movement, individual leaders are invaluable.
The final section of Young's work is about specific architecture and the emotional connections made with these structures. Emotional connections are made because of appreciation for the physical beauty of these buildings, which is intensified by their historical context. This is the reason that drives preservationists. They are people who understand the importance of the physical and emotional beauty of preservation, and are in the field to because of their love to share this with others. Details are also important to Young, and he conveys the message that unique architectural details are what make preserving many historic sites paramount. Young argues that the appreciation for historical architecture may be more important to the movement than any cultural or socioeconomic benefits. He brings examples from his travels around the world to make this point, citing Russia, the American South, U.S. cemeteries, and several U.S. cities.
Young skillfully weaves all of these individuals essays into a narrative about the bigger picture of
historic preservation. While addressing specific issues, he shows overarching themes that are present in the movement. His writing is humorous and easy to connect with, while at the same time challenges the reader to think about the impact of preservation. His arguments about emotional connections to preservation hit the nail on the head, because being a preservationist is not an easy job. It is done because of a passion and love for individual places that unite us in the movement of historic preservation.
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