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Ezine Article What is Happening to America’s History? In a nation focused on the “latest” and “greatest,” many people worry about America’s historical sites. Can the remains of our past survive modern advances? The answer may surprise you. In a nation focused on the “latest” and “greatest,” many people worry about America’s historical sites. Can the remains of our past survive modern advances? The answer may surprise you. Not only has much of America’s history been saved, but a sizable amount has been dramatically rebuilt, and more construction is under way. Admittedly, in many cases, the underlying reason is not to save our history but to build tourism. Still, let’s be mindful. National and state parks, historical societies and civic-minded individuals would only take on the immense work and substantial expense if they were confident people would come. America’s love of history is a powerful force. Several cities have demolished dozens of buildings and even changed roadways just to bring back to life a key part of their heritage. For instance: • In New Bern, North Carolina, more than 50 buildings were removed, a state road was rerouted and a bridge was torn down. In their place, the late-1760s colonial capitol of North Carolina and home of the Royalist governor was reconstructed. Today Tyron Palace is an awe-inspiring visitor destination. • In downtown Rome, New York, blocks of buildings in a tattered commercial/industrial area were removed to make way for the remarkable reconstruction of Historic Fort Stanwix. The original fort was built in 1758, during the French and Indian War. Favorably received by the Six Nations (the Iroquois), it was a British stronghold securing a vital route between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Ontario. • In Salem, Massachusetts, waterfront buildings were removed to re-create the atmosphere that existed when Salem was the seat of America's maritime prowess. Today at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, you can stand on the stairs of the 1819 Custom House and face out to the Bay and Derby Wharf, where the replica 1797 Friendship, a tall sailing ship, is moored and tourable. • In Morrisville, Pennsylvania, the Pennsbury Manor estate of William Penn - a highly influential man in the late 1600s - disappeared under nineteenth-century buildings. But in the early 1930s, the land was donated to Pennsylvania, and the buildings were torn down. Based on archaeological findings and Penn’s original design instructions, this extraordinary place was rebuilt as authentically as possible. The reconstruction includes not only the beautiful manor house overlooking the Delaware River but also outbuildings and sizable portions of the farm, vineyard, orchard, kitchen garden and formal gardens. Similarly heroic measures have been undertaken to replicate a lifestyle that has long since passed into history. To name but a few examples: • In Fort Madison, Iowa, the remains of an historic fort were found under a parking area at the Sheaffer Pen Company. Excavations provided enough information to rebuild much of the site nearby. The logs for several major buildings were hand-hewn by inmates from the Iowa State Penitentiary. Historical interpreters now people Old Fort Madison, providing perspective on the challenges that soldiers and settlers faced in what was once the Louisiana Territory. • In Dayton, Ohio, plans for a new sewage treatment plant were changed to allow for SunWatch Indian Village, the partially re-created 800-year old site of a Native community. SunWatch is a unique living history project where visitors can learn the underlying reasons for archaeological reconstructions and better understand the lifeways of sophisticated Indian agriculturalists. • In Anchorage, Alaska, Native Peoples have re-created portions of ancient villages at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. In addition to enjoying Native music, dances and other scheduled performances, visitors can roam a trail that circles a two-acre lake to learn about ancient cultures from the Alaska Natives themselves. • In Honolulu, Hawaii, the only official royal residence in the United States was demoted to a state office building after the overthrow of the monarchy. Ultimately, however, the palace was transformed back to its late-1800s splendor, with many original belongings of the last king and queens of Hawaii. Remarkably, the personal affects had been auctioned-off a century ago but were found by diligent history lovers. Now beautiful ‘Iolani Palace is a terrific place to learn about old Hawaii and its aristocracy. This is just a fraction of what remains to be seen today. So in the future, if you find yourself thinking that our nation doesn't care enough about its national heritage, remember these places. And smile. By: Suzanne and Craig Sheumaker, authors of the new travel guide “America’s Living History-The Early Years,” Red Corral Publishing, May 2007, http://www.AmericasLivingHistory.com About the Authors This husband-and-wife team has driven more than 125,000 miles by car and motorhome in recent years, exploring America. While searching out scenic locations for Craig’s stock photography business, they became intrigued by the many historical sites that preserve and interpret our nation’s history. Suzanne, who began her career writing about travel destinations and later switched to other subjects, returned to travel writing as she became passionate about history travel. Ultimately, their discoveries led them to form Red Corral Publishing and produce one of their own works, "America’s Living History-The Early Years," as their first entry into the book-publishing world. The book includes 500 of Craig’s photographs along with historical perspectives, sidebar features and tourist details.
© 2007 Suzanne and Craig Sheumaker • All rights reserved Please feel free to use all or part of this article in your newspaper or newsletter, post it on your blog or email it to friends, family, whomever. We ask only that you credit the authors and include a link to our website. | ||||||
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