Wallace’s “The Virtual past: Media and History Museums”
Continuing his saga on public history, Wallace turns to the Internet and its products, which surround us all over these days. There is a multimedia for each and every taste, age, orientation and background, created by big and small museums and offering variety of choices, thus immensely increasing the number of virtual visitors able to drop-in at anytime. What is important, though, that people could interact with each other, send notes to the curators and observe of or participate in occurrence of actual events.
There are pros and cons, of course. Some argue that virtual museums are belittling the actual historical knowledge, while others advocate for the alternation rather than replacement. Today’s situation is obviously much easier when the author publish it in 1996. The author’s concern of the web privatization, virtual replication of the objects and attachment to the actual historical context is well understood. But the author’s idea on “interpreting the world of media itself” (p. 110) is not clear. It may well worked for the modern history, which is well documented and filmed but to recreate the far past – there, again, is a need for virtual history. Here is a necessity to distinguish between heroic stereotype and historic reality, between memory and altered media.
The future of the museums is, no doubt, with the media. But it should be applied carefully, so it won’t damage the vulnerable and carefuly preserved past for the price of the admission ticket.
Smith’s “History on the Web”
Along with variety of historical presentations available today to a Clio’s servant, Smith examines the relatively new “kid on the block” – the historical websites. The major argument he proposes is whether the history being brought by such a mean of presentation is, in fact, a serious history.
The author analyzes this problem by sharing his own experience during the “Great Chicago Fire” museum exhibition in 1996, of which he was an on-line curator. In presenting the pros and cons of this undertaking, the author first describes the way as to how the website was set up: 350 web pages divided in several subchapters, which included vast amount of eyewitness accounts, documents, original photos and the like, including a panoramic view of Chicago as it looked in 1858. It produced a great response, but response of a different kind than is coming after a scholarly book. Thanks to the practically unlimited ability to include as many objects as possible, this website gave an incredible opportunity for many to “visit” this virtual museum time and again. It corresponded with the series of essays accompanying the website, which allowed learning on the city’s history and its population, thus providing a valuable resource for scholars and buffs alike; it offers learning rather than compels on it. It is not better or worse of a history traditionally expressed by the printing material – it is just different type of historical presentation, which attracts its own growing audience and assists in better understanding in more accessible way. We just need better composed and thoroughly researched historic websites.
Wiese’s “The Other Suburbanites”
If we put aside the problems of the housing market and system of suburban development in the north before 1950s, which made up certain African-American communities, Wiese’s article provides an interesting example of how historians in nowadays are using oral history in their attempt to reconstruct the past.
The author is researching a black suburb in Chagrin Falls Park, Ohio, which was established back in 1920s, a suburb that many people living there called home. He based his analysis on several dozen interviews with its former residents with the attempt to answer the simple question – what was it like to live, as a black, in suburban America after WWII?
It was not a suburban “bourgeois utopia” but rather an average “residential black suburb” (p. 1500), which was populated by low income, blue-collar hard-working African-American men and women. Chagrin Falls Park has developed to promote subdivision between rural and urban living, thus addressing various racial problems but also a possibility of a home ownership for the black families migrating from the South.
To paint the full-scale picture of 1940s and 1950s Chagrin Falls Park, the author, along with the direct interviews examined variety of documents, such as deed records, membership rosters, church books and the like. The picture is not very bright: most of the residents did not have usual utilities, which are so common in our days. But, nonetheless, residents managed to survive, raise families and more importantly, create a community, which answered their local needs. As a result of the conducted interviews with survived residents, we could picture the mode of life in African-American suburbia in contrast to the big cities. The major conclusion is that for many, the home ownership became a basic symbol to elevate one’s status in the then segregated America.
“If you never start anything, you never get anything,” said Mr. Adams to his inquiring wife, worrying about the money for their house. But this also sounds about right in our modern time, isn’t it?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
READINGS ON HERITAGE TOURISM
Rothman’s article on Tourism
The author took under the scrutiny several land-marking Western places, such as the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, Aspen, Las Vegas and the like. What penetrates through the good portion of the article is the notion that ”heritage tourism”, which started as a way how elites lavished their moneys since early 1900s being admitted either to “a western accommodations” or/and “splendid dining rooms” (p. 527), is still continued in nowadays. However, the tourism in the certain areas, such as Grand Canyon, progressed mainly due to the successful management by preserving this type of the American past in contrary to the Old continent’s medieval heritage. Because of the lack of the appropriate legislature the major beneficiary were not “the people of the region”, but rather private proprietorships (p. 529). By 1920s it continued to serve mainly to the upper classes, but, nonetheless, it become symbol of an American might and conquer. Santa Fe adorned it with attempt to build a western cultural center, mainly through the growing market possibilities and development of the system of transportation; using the old auto or wagon, they transported people to the past.
Discussing the recreational tourism, the author gives several examples of the ski resorts. New to this development was hiring the public relation specialists, who managed to present a new brand of a future American generation – strong, handsome and liked. Thus, for example, Aspen got a good reputation, especially after the WWII, when “tourist industry dramatically increased” (p. 544). There, too, was a close work with the public but through another means – use of a military training unit, which, among other things, promoted tourism with the association of not far off achieved victory. Thanks to the investments, Aspen soon was turned into the most desired resort (for those who can afford it), providing service all year round.
However, the author specifically mentions development of the various places through the means of popularity among the elite, rather than the ordinary people. The system of luxurious hotels, esp. in Las Vegas is designed to overwhelm and admire for its expenses, screaming brilliance and lavishness. It changes, however, for entrepreneurs see the cash flow coming from all levels (and generations) of society and they are trying to respond accordingly. We can agree that development of the tourist industry today goes in conjunction with the development of the technology and infrastructure, which assumes accessibility on every level of our modern society.
Sellars’ “National Parks”
The author, who works as a historian with the Park Service for over two decades brings up a thrilling story of creating, developing and recent maintaining of the American natural park system and treatment of its resources through the period of more than a century. Sellars begins the narrative with the story of establishment of the Yellowstone first “national park” in 1872 and traces the history of National parks through the two world wars up to today’s’ environmental movement and park services’ leadership culture.
“What in a park should be preserved?” – This is the main question the author is trying to discourse (p. 4), employing numerous primary sources’ documentation.
Since the establishment of the Yellowstone in 1872, the initial park concept was its preservation for enjoyment and benefit of the people, which gained certain gains and underwent certain witnesses, as well. Conferences of 1910s brought the ideas of systematic planning, which called for a protection of “natural areas to be enjoyed by tourists” (p. 23). As the time progressed, the parks accepted its first professionals – “landscape engineers”, “wildfire rangers”, which all were placed under umbrella of Park Service with its growing concern for a balance in flora and fauna. This marriage brought conflicts between biologists and park management, especially for ecological issues.
Further, the author analyzes the system of Park’s management, which underwent various changes, as the time progressed. It went from the “protection and maintenance” during the WWII (p. 151), to the “watching [of] natural process unfold” in the 1950s (p. 167) including protection by development issue. The initial concern was as previously – the public use and enjoyment. However, argues the author, this met certain resistance of wildfire biologists, advocating for preservation of “ecological integrity” (p. 204).
The era of 1960s and 1970s brought to parks a partial compromise, but form the other hand, added law-enforcement issues. At the same time, the role of management and research studies increased, thus bringing up ideas that Park service “must include scientific knowledge and concern” (p. 232). Today, concludes the author, with the main emphasis on recreational tourism, ecological problems in parks are not being addressed to its full capacity as they are kept within discretion of caring individuals, rather than designated authorities. One of the solutions to this the author sees in more enforced legislation and promotion of scientific mandate, which should both work together under the less bureaucratically oriented leadership.
Visit to the Goodwood Museum and Gardens (Part I)
Nicely preserved and managed, mainly thanks to the Margaret E. Wilson Foundation, the Goodwood house represents today a mode of life, which was well admired in decadence Europe of 1910s and 1920s desperately trying to catch vanishing Victorian era.
There is beautiful and expensive silverware, expensive beds, decorative furniture and lavishly embroidered curtains; you could almost feel a thick cigar smoke released by sedate gentlemen as they discuss politics or recent prices on cotton… However, there is no study or a library; presence of many personnel is almost nonexistent and the house is a clear distinction between the elite and “everybody else.” Excellent portrait of Fanny Tiers is looking down upon you as if she is austerely asking on guest’s recommendations.
Obviously, it does not feel completely that the “history of Goodwood is a history of the State of Florida” (as the inviting brochure advertise) but rather a stiffen monument to its prominent owners. Leaving the main hall, one could notice the first Marconi’s telephonic devise with the number “478” for Tallahassee.
What if I would dial that number?
The author took under the scrutiny several land-marking Western places, such as the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, Aspen, Las Vegas and the like. What penetrates through the good portion of the article is the notion that ”heritage tourism”, which started as a way how elites lavished their moneys since early 1900s being admitted either to “a western accommodations” or/and “splendid dining rooms” (p. 527), is still continued in nowadays. However, the tourism in the certain areas, such as Grand Canyon, progressed mainly due to the successful management by preserving this type of the American past in contrary to the Old continent’s medieval heritage. Because of the lack of the appropriate legislature the major beneficiary were not “the people of the region”, but rather private proprietorships (p. 529). By 1920s it continued to serve mainly to the upper classes, but, nonetheless, it become symbol of an American might and conquer. Santa Fe adorned it with attempt to build a western cultural center, mainly through the growing market possibilities and development of the system of transportation; using the old auto or wagon, they transported people to the past.
Discussing the recreational tourism, the author gives several examples of the ski resorts. New to this development was hiring the public relation specialists, who managed to present a new brand of a future American generation – strong, handsome and liked. Thus, for example, Aspen got a good reputation, especially after the WWII, when “tourist industry dramatically increased” (p. 544). There, too, was a close work with the public but through another means – use of a military training unit, which, among other things, promoted tourism with the association of not far off achieved victory. Thanks to the investments, Aspen soon was turned into the most desired resort (for those who can afford it), providing service all year round.
However, the author specifically mentions development of the various places through the means of popularity among the elite, rather than the ordinary people. The system of luxurious hotels, esp. in Las Vegas is designed to overwhelm and admire for its expenses, screaming brilliance and lavishness. It changes, however, for entrepreneurs see the cash flow coming from all levels (and generations) of society and they are trying to respond accordingly. We can agree that development of the tourist industry today goes in conjunction with the development of the technology and infrastructure, which assumes accessibility on every level of our modern society.
Sellars’ “National Parks”
The author, who works as a historian with the Park Service for over two decades brings up a thrilling story of creating, developing and recent maintaining of the American natural park system and treatment of its resources through the period of more than a century. Sellars begins the narrative with the story of establishment of the Yellowstone first “national park” in 1872 and traces the history of National parks through the two world wars up to today’s’ environmental movement and park services’ leadership culture.
“What in a park should be preserved?” – This is the main question the author is trying to discourse (p. 4), employing numerous primary sources’ documentation.
Since the establishment of the Yellowstone in 1872, the initial park concept was its preservation for enjoyment and benefit of the people, which gained certain gains and underwent certain witnesses, as well. Conferences of 1910s brought the ideas of systematic planning, which called for a protection of “natural areas to be enjoyed by tourists” (p. 23). As the time progressed, the parks accepted its first professionals – “landscape engineers”, “wildfire rangers”, which all were placed under umbrella of Park Service with its growing concern for a balance in flora and fauna. This marriage brought conflicts between biologists and park management, especially for ecological issues.
Further, the author analyzes the system of Park’s management, which underwent various changes, as the time progressed. It went from the “protection and maintenance” during the WWII (p. 151), to the “watching [of] natural process unfold” in the 1950s (p. 167) including protection by development issue. The initial concern was as previously – the public use and enjoyment. However, argues the author, this met certain resistance of wildfire biologists, advocating for preservation of “ecological integrity” (p. 204).
The era of 1960s and 1970s brought to parks a partial compromise, but form the other hand, added law-enforcement issues. At the same time, the role of management and research studies increased, thus bringing up ideas that Park service “must include scientific knowledge and concern” (p. 232). Today, concludes the author, with the main emphasis on recreational tourism, ecological problems in parks are not being addressed to its full capacity as they are kept within discretion of caring individuals, rather than designated authorities. One of the solutions to this the author sees in more enforced legislation and promotion of scientific mandate, which should both work together under the less bureaucratically oriented leadership.
Visit to the Goodwood Museum and Gardens (Part I)
Nicely preserved and managed, mainly thanks to the Margaret E. Wilson Foundation, the Goodwood house represents today a mode of life, which was well admired in decadence Europe of 1910s and 1920s desperately trying to catch vanishing Victorian era.
There is beautiful and expensive silverware, expensive beds, decorative furniture and lavishly embroidered curtains; you could almost feel a thick cigar smoke released by sedate gentlemen as they discuss politics or recent prices on cotton… However, there is no study or a library; presence of many personnel is almost nonexistent and the house is a clear distinction between the elite and “everybody else.” Excellent portrait of Fanny Tiers is looking down upon you as if she is austerely asking on guest’s recommendations.
Obviously, it does not feel completely that the “history of Goodwood is a history of the State of Florida” (as the inviting brochure advertise) but rather a stiffen monument to its prominent owners. Leaving the main hall, one could notice the first Marconi’s telephonic devise with the number “478” for Tallahassee.
What if I would dial that number?
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Landmark & Legacy Tour - African-American Heritage and History in Leon County
The problem of historic preservation in Tallahassee area is still a biggest concern of the local museums, governmental entities and private organizations, as well. This Saturday we were presented with an incredible opportunity to “touch a history” by an actual participation in a tour, which covered major centers of African-American history in the area.
We started with the John G. Riley Center and Museum, which was once a home of this first educator and prominent businessmen. “Born into slavery, he died a millioner”, noted Gus, our tour-guide and an Educational Director of the House. Thanks to his own hard work and almost self-education, Mr. Riley became the principle of the Lincoln High School, first public school for blacks in Tallahassee (c. 1893). He built his house in 1890s and since 1978 it was placed in the National register of Historic Places. It contains lots of artifacts and original memorabilia, which were mainly donated to the he Riley Center from the African-American community.
Hoping on the bus (which, probably saw era of the Civil Rights movement), we rolled through downtown, which parcels of land once belonged to Mr. Riley’s. “Early Tallahassee was build by communities,” explained Gus, “where the black population partially occupied its today main area.” There were nearly 170 plantations growing tobacco, cotton and corn, where slaves performed the most of the manual labor. But after the Emancipation Proclamation, many blacks moved up north. But some remained and maintained their small business: newsstands, bakeries and shops. Further “segregation of 1960s was a bad idea, especially in the eyes of the older populations,” explained Gus, “for they thought that money now will go away from the African-American community and disperse elsewhere.” We passed Civic Center, which once was an area of a flea market and stop at the city’s Old Cemetery (est. 1829). It is still segregated – whites are buried on east side, blacks – on the west. Along with several prominent people who found their final resting place here we paid a tribute to the graves of black Union soldiers supposedly killed at the Battle of Natural Bridge in March of 1864.
Heading towards the borough known as the “Frenchtown” we exchanged the info as to how this place got its name (well, I am still a partisan of a theory that it was the small French community, which settled on the land granted by the U.S. to famous marquis de Lafayette). The area, which is predominantly populated by the African-Americans, is in the process of “revitalization”, that is, rebuilding original hoses and selling it to the local inhabitants (we only have to guess who could afford a house at the cost of nearly $250.000?). Today this area contains an original site of the old Lincoln High School, directed by Mr. Riley (now Community Center), Greenwood Cemetery for poor, which is preserved in a good condition manly through the work of its volunteers.
“Tallahassee was made of various communities,” continues Gus, “ they were known by its centers – school, church or cemetery. Hence, the Mekan, Bond, Zion names appears here and there, thus reminding us on ties that held these people together. We also passed “Ash Gallery” owned by Ann Harris; then the Miracle Hill with its first black Nursing Home (c. 1950s) and other places.
Finally, we circled near the “Integration Statue” depicting, among others, young Maxwell Cortney, first African-American student who was “allowed” to attend FSU in 1961. Here, I could not help but think about how much struggle and disadvantage black people have to overcome for their long deserved human and civil rights. Their small peaces of tangible history, although long surrounded by modern highways and governmental infrastructures, nonetheless remind us of the past and present of African-American heritage, which embraces us everyday by its simplicity. You only have to open your eyes for it.
We started with the John G. Riley Center and Museum, which was once a home of this first educator and prominent businessmen. “Born into slavery, he died a millioner”, noted Gus, our tour-guide and an Educational Director of the House. Thanks to his own hard work and almost self-education, Mr. Riley became the principle of the Lincoln High School, first public school for blacks in Tallahassee (c. 1893). He built his house in 1890s and since 1978 it was placed in the National register of Historic Places. It contains lots of artifacts and original memorabilia, which were mainly donated to the he Riley Center from the African-American community.
Hoping on the bus (which, probably saw era of the Civil Rights movement), we rolled through downtown, which parcels of land once belonged to Mr. Riley’s. “Early Tallahassee was build by communities,” explained Gus, “where the black population partially occupied its today main area.” There were nearly 170 plantations growing tobacco, cotton and corn, where slaves performed the most of the manual labor. But after the Emancipation Proclamation, many blacks moved up north. But some remained and maintained their small business: newsstands, bakeries and shops. Further “segregation of 1960s was a bad idea, especially in the eyes of the older populations,” explained Gus, “for they thought that money now will go away from the African-American community and disperse elsewhere.” We passed Civic Center, which once was an area of a flea market and stop at the city’s Old Cemetery (est. 1829). It is still segregated – whites are buried on east side, blacks – on the west. Along with several prominent people who found their final resting place here we paid a tribute to the graves of black Union soldiers supposedly killed at the Battle of Natural Bridge in March of 1864.
Heading towards the borough known as the “Frenchtown” we exchanged the info as to how this place got its name (well, I am still a partisan of a theory that it was the small French community, which settled on the land granted by the U.S. to famous marquis de Lafayette). The area, which is predominantly populated by the African-Americans, is in the process of “revitalization”, that is, rebuilding original hoses and selling it to the local inhabitants (we only have to guess who could afford a house at the cost of nearly $250.000?). Today this area contains an original site of the old Lincoln High School, directed by Mr. Riley (now Community Center), Greenwood Cemetery for poor, which is preserved in a good condition manly through the work of its volunteers.
“Tallahassee was made of various communities,” continues Gus, “ they were known by its centers – school, church or cemetery. Hence, the Mekan, Bond, Zion names appears here and there, thus reminding us on ties that held these people together. We also passed “Ash Gallery” owned by Ann Harris; then the Miracle Hill with its first black Nursing Home (c. 1950s) and other places.
Finally, we circled near the “Integration Statue” depicting, among others, young Maxwell Cortney, first African-American student who was “allowed” to attend FSU in 1961. Here, I could not help but think about how much struggle and disadvantage black people have to overcome for their long deserved human and civil rights. Their small peaces of tangible history, although long surrounded by modern highways and governmental infrastructures, nonetheless remind us of the past and present of African-American heritage, which embraces us everyday by its simplicity. You only have to open your eyes for it.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Young's "Road Trips through History"
The author, who himself is Senior Communication Associate in the National Trust, have composed a brilliant set of short essays on various famous and not-so places around the world. There are history of bookstores, art museums, maritime memorabilia collection, the World Expo of 1893 and the like. It presents a rainbow of stories from the point of view of an sharp-eyed professional, spending descent time to travel around and note what each of us is passing by in our everyday routine.
Why do we need to preserve battlefields? What do the movie theaters at the open bring us? Is there a message in a sculpture? In a monument? Or a prison? Being a bit nostalgic of the “ol’ good days,” the author’s writing looks like a travel notebook, a diary, embracing so many notorious places,which are embraced under umbrella of historic preservation. But what about people, who makes these memorable landmarks to continue their existence? After all, this is not about buildings, old market places or stylistically constructed churches. There is also everyday’s work, usually unseen to a naked eye – a work of historians, museum curator’s and countless volunteers. Definitely, Ms. Cunningham was an extraordinary figure undertaking an extraordinary task. But from the other hand, the Russian ethnography museum, an island of Kizhi, which Young so admired – has a staff of nearly 200 people, who do exist on the very low pay and mostly on their own enthusiasm preserving this unique architectural treasure. The same goes for Manzanar site and several others. Unless I overlooked, there is practically nothing on Native Americans or Amish, who managed to preserve their historical heritage over the centuries despite competitive modernization.
The author tries to bring a significance to big and small pieces of history,which were touched by the winged time. The major point he is making, I think, is that we can’t substitute the real history with the surrogates of Las Vegas or Disney World, no mater how colorful and almost “look alike” they are. Young is absolutely right that “preservation is all about having the good sense to hang on to things that are meaningful and enduring,” (p. 9). But it is also about human’s memory and a place each of us occupies today. And to prove his theory on ”no place fast” we have to slow down a bit and look around – that’s for sure.
From the other point of view – what I specifically liked about this book, it that Young serves as an admirable example of how a public historian could bring his/her ideas to the general audience in a simple and, at the same token, penetrating manner.
Why do we need to preserve battlefields? What do the movie theaters at the open bring us? Is there a message in a sculpture? In a monument? Or a prison? Being a bit nostalgic of the “ol’ good days,” the author’s writing looks like a travel notebook, a diary, embracing so many notorious places,which are embraced under umbrella of historic preservation. But what about people, who makes these memorable landmarks to continue their existence? After all, this is not about buildings, old market places or stylistically constructed churches. There is also everyday’s work, usually unseen to a naked eye – a work of historians, museum curator’s and countless volunteers. Definitely, Ms. Cunningham was an extraordinary figure undertaking an extraordinary task. But from the other hand, the Russian ethnography museum, an island of Kizhi, which Young so admired – has a staff of nearly 200 people, who do exist on the very low pay and mostly on their own enthusiasm preserving this unique architectural treasure. The same goes for Manzanar site and several others. Unless I overlooked, there is practically nothing on Native Americans or Amish, who managed to preserve their historical heritage over the centuries despite competitive modernization.
The author tries to bring a significance to big and small pieces of history,which were touched by the winged time. The major point he is making, I think, is that we can’t substitute the real history with the surrogates of Las Vegas or Disney World, no mater how colorful and almost “look alike” they are. Young is absolutely right that “preservation is all about having the good sense to hang on to things that are meaningful and enduring,” (p. 9). But it is also about human’s memory and a place each of us occupies today. And to prove his theory on ”no place fast” we have to slow down a bit and look around – that’s for sure.
From the other point of view – what I specifically liked about this book, it that Young serves as an admirable example of how a public historian could bring his/her ideas to the general audience in a simple and, at the same token, penetrating manner.
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