Monuments of Diverse Heritage in Early America
Placemaking and Preservation by Black, Indigenous, and Jewish Peoples
9789048562756
332 pages
Amsterdam University Press
Overview
Monuments of Diverse Heritage in Early America: Placemaking and Preservation by Black, Indigenous, and Jewish Peoples explores a more inclusive history of the preservation of public historic sites. At a time when some Americans have embraced white nationalism in response to unfolding demographic changes and others celebrate individual identities over all else, an inclusive, tolerant, and unifying historical vision is sorely needed. While past preservation efforts often sought to provide exclusionary forms of historical inspiration, that need not be the case going forward. Bringing greater attention to the diverse heritage of the United States will not only help dismantle the lingering remnants of exclusionary and elitist narratives but also celebrate a pluralistic and diverse past and present. An inclusive, empowering history can provide social cohesion while also allowing room for individual groups to have authority over their pasts and their representation in public, side-by-side with one another.
Author Bio
Barry L. Stiefel, Ph.D. is a Professor of Historic Preservation & Community Planning in the Department of Art & Architectural History at the College of Charleston. He has completed numerous publications, including ones that address sustainability, cultural-ethnic architectural history, historic transportation mobility, human-centered preservation, community-building through historic places, and preservation education.
