Tag: History
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Meet Me by the Fountain
Book Review Despite growing up with the mall a very key part of my childhood memories, the adult version of me avoids going to one at all costs. I can count on one hand the number of times I have been to one in the last ten years. As an urban planner I enjoy being…
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Dwell Time
Book Review Ever wondered how the intricate world of art conservation intertwines with the profound experiences of immigrants? In this a 2024 Booked on Planning podcast episode, Rosa Lowinger, the author of “Dwell Time: A Memoir of Art, Exile, and Repair,” discusses her emotional and educational journey as an art conservationist. Rosa’s narrative is not…
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The Impact of Early Preservation Groups in America
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association, a group formed for the sole purpose of saving George Washington’s stately home on the Potomac River from ruin in the 1850s, is the oldest national historic preservation organization. They formed during when America was still a young nation, less than 100 years old. Homes like Washington’s represented a lasting…
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The Origins of Historic Preservation
The most commonly cited start to the historic preservation movement is the Ladies of Mount Vernon’s valiant effort to raise funds to preserve George Washington’s home. As the first president of the United States, Ann Pamela Cunningham and her fellow advocates were dismayed at the dismal state of his home overlooking the Potomac River. In…
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Minneapolis Music History
Minneapolis is home to famed musicians and sounds, from Bob Dylan and folk to Prince and The Minneapolis Sound to the punk rockers of the 1980s and 90s. A bus tour was created for the 2024 American Planning Association Conference to show the places that put Minneapolis music on the map. The tour brings to…
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Valuing Historic Preservationists
The foundations of historic preservation are rooted in volunteerism and community activism. The formal profession evolved centuries after the first attempt to save a home, that to the women with extra time to spare felt was a key symbol of our young nation. After those beginnings we moved into a period of organized activism on…
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Historic Preservation: Balancing Restoration and Demolition
In my many years working in the field of historic preservation I have seen some communities commit to preserving as much of their built history as possible, others demolish nearly all of it, and a majority that falls somewhere in between. What I could never understand is how different cities decide when preservation is worth…
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Why Old Places Matter
Book Review Old places matter because they provide continuity; memory; individual, civic, state, national, and universal identity; beauty; history; architecture; sacred ties, creativity, learning opportunities, sustainability, a tie to our ancestors, community, and economic value. With so many reasons to keep old buildings standing, its hard to understand why we keep tearing them down and…
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Full History of Lake Shetek
Last weekend I traveled north for a quick weekend of camping in southwest Minnesota to soak up the outdoors as much as possible before what looks like a solitary winter thanks to COVID-19. I camped with my husband and some friends at Lake Shetek State Park, just outside the town of Curie. The lakes that…
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Economic Benefits of Saving Brick Streets
At the turn of the 20th century paving streets became a priority throughout the U.S. Prior to 1913, long distance travel was done via train. The lack of connectivity and adequately maintained roads made it prohibitive for anyone to travel in the newly invented automobile. With the support of the Good Roads Movement (which actually…
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The Planning Lady 