Teaching > RWU HP150 Historic Preservation > Assignments >

Boulder, Colorado. Above: 25th annversary of Pearl Street pedestrian mall. Below: Nearby Crossroads Mall, on the same day.
New development, Tucker and Allen Roads, Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Eastern Montana.
Double-bank building, Williams Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Northwest Kentucky.
Commercial rehabilitation, Silver City, New Mexico.

Assignment 1 — Insight on Site

Sites resources provided by students, Fall 2008

9 July 2008

Dear HP 150 (Introduction to Historic Preservation) Students,

You are receiving this letter as you have enrolled (as a first-year historic preservation student or for an elective) in HP 150 Introduction to Historic Preservation. For those who are new: Welcome to Roger Williams. This is your first assignment, which invites you to consider your community (or wherever you may be during the summer) and see how it "works"—with preservation in mind.

I suspect that at least some of the reasons you are interested in preservation have to do with the people and places in your lives. The purpose of the assignment is to provide a means to solicit you own personal understanding and appreciation of (y)our heritage—and its stewardship.

Your collective contributions to a presentation and discussion will help our class broaden its understanding of the subject and your interest in it.

Wayne Franklin observes, "Although the particular places we inhabit may seem resilient, unique, as far from each other in character is they are in space, we all recognize that the great majority of them repeat themes found all over the place. Like language, the human environment in fact is built from a few disarmingly simple elements. The variations on those elements produce difference without destroying intelligibility." (Franklin's foreword in Richard V. Francaviglia's Main Street Revisited, 1997.)

And, so, here is a first assignment. Spend what time you can on it.
Remember: to do this assignment you should not consider it doing your “homework," but making your “home work." Home may be your town, neighborhood in a city, or similar community. Your home may be your 'home town', the community in which you are living, or another familiar community.

Rely on your experience, and those you share with family, friends, neighbors, other citizens and professionals in you community. Consider written references and resources as you wish. You do not have to rely on detailed research and investigation, either of your community or of preservation issues. (There will be plenty of time for reading and research on preservation at Roger Williams.)

Investigate some of the following:

  • Sites, places, buildings and other features that—alone or collectively—contribute to the significance and sense of place of your community?
  • What are the critical issues that face the future preservation, growth, and management of your community?
  • What preservation initiatives have been developed in your community?
  • What are some of the organizations involved?

Develop:

  • Take digital photographs to obtain at least 1024x768 pixel images. Identify each image with site/building and location/address.
  • Select about ten to twenty photographs, which you can present as a Powerpoint or Keynote (Mac) presentation.
  • Consider including graphics: maps, plans, or other images. Cite sources for all images.
  • Develop a three to four page, typed essay on your investigation and thoughts. Reference all sources.

Should you not be able to assess a site in your community (or wherever you are during the summer), you may choose one in the Bristol area. You will present your work to fellow students in late September, so there will be time on campus to ask questions and develop your essay and presentation.

Your presentation should serve as a fitting introduction to your perceptions, feelings, interests, and concerns about your community . . . and preservation. As Franklin suggests, it is likely we will find common bonds that unite our collective commitment to preservation.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail or call me. I look forward to joining you in class.

Take care,

Philip

Philip Marshall