Matthew Hyland, Assistant Professor, Duquesne University

Proposal Type: Panel

Abstract: This proposed panel or roundtable seeks to present a discussion of the New Deal’s impact on historic preservation and public memory. Presenters will explore themes of populism and the democratization of historic preservation and commemoration in the years before World War II, a period when social history and progressives began to alter history’s interpretive discourse.

Seeking: This proposed panel or roundtable is looking for scholars investigating 1930s US cultural history through politics of place, heritage, commemoration, outdoor museums, and historic preservation. The panel is open to the contributions of scholars examining shifts in public interpretation of history and heritage through various categories of experience: foodways, architecture, folklore, oral history, landscape, and historic sites.

Related Topics: Preservation, Memory, Environment, Heritage

If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to share contact information for other people the proposer should reach out to, please get in contact directly: Matthew Hyland, [email protected]

If you have general ideas or feedback to share please feel free to use the comments feature at the end of the proposal submission page.

Discussion

5 comments
  1. Modupe Labode says:

    At the 2014 National Trust meeting, I went to an interesting presentation featuring UC Berkeley’s “Living New Deal” project: http://livingnewdeal.berkeley.edu/ Their emphasis was on raising awareness about the sheer scope of New Deal projects, as well as involving the public in mapping local resources. In the early 2000s, Colorado Preservation Inc. undertook an ambitious project of surveying New Deal resources in the Eastern Plains of Colorado, from post offices to gymnasiums! http://coloradopreservation.org/projects/cultural-resource-surveys/new-deal-survey-2/

    This might be a different direction than you’re thinking, but there is interest in the New Deal!

  2. Matthew G. Hyland says:

    Thanks for the suggestion. Your comment and the projects you noted are right in line with the theme of the panel. I hope to get some proposals from people working on similar projects.

  3. Jill Ogline Titus says:

    Great topic. Given the extent to which the resources visitors still interact with in our national parks have their roots in the CCC, you might try reaching to some National Park Service staff whose parks are embracing the challenge of interpreting the CCC story. Shenandoah National Park and Grand Canyon National Park seem to be leaders in this. I know Grand Canyon offers a CCC walking tour.

    1. Matthew G. Hyland says:

      Good tip. Thanks.

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