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Title: History in Urban Places: The Historic Districts of the United States (Urban Life and Urban Landscape Series) by D. A. Hamer, David Hamer ISBN: 0-8142-0790-1 Publisher: Ohio State University Press Pub. Date: 01 November, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (1 review)
Rating: 4
Summary: Questioning the Motivations of Historic Preservation Efforts
Comment: History in Urban Places is a clearly written historical analysis directed at urban historians on the justification and outcomes for designating urban areas as an Historical District. His thesis is that while historic districts often celebrate a significant period in history, as required by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the period may be arbitrary and lacking in historical authenticity. Rather than glamorize the concept of Historic District status, he asks some tough questions that "disrobe the emperor." He observes that the National Register eligibility criteria actually encourages applicants to select a single period of significance. Furthermore, the motivation is not assumed to be historical altruism or authenticity. Tax Reform legislation, economic incentives to the community (as in Colonial Williamsburg), and readily available grant monies for National Register designation may play and equal or greater role. What is lacking in these assumptions are hard facts that support his subjective analysis of "objective" documents.
As a University History Professor in New Zealand, Hamer has written one previous book relating urban renewal initiatives to the New World. For this book he limited his scope to the U.S. and his research was based on a personal mecca to a number of historic districts within the United States, and the review of primary sources related to these districts including their application to the National Register. While using terms that assume quantifiable results (commonly, readily, often, mostly), he provides no hard facts to back his analysis. Whether this was intentional to aid in readability, or simply a lack of implementing scientific process is unknown. Without quantifiable data, it is difficult to separate interpretations he attributes to historic district designation. An example would be an increase in money spent on culture and the arts in the 1970s, where there was a cultural boom from personal and public funds.
By his own acknowledgement, Hamer limits his research to urban settings within the U.S. He does not glamorize the designation of these properties and delineates current efforts aimed at tax incentives (post 1970) from earlier efforts at historical designation for perhaps similar, yet different economic stimulants. Acknowledging this phenomenon, Hamer contrasts modern day efforts of modest scale to the older designations (Colonial Williamsburg, Beacon Hill and Charleston, SC) as "places of extraordinary architectural quality and appeal that have become major tourist meccas." (vii) Aspiring to bring these "Disneyland-like" districts to their own towns, applications reflect a bias that accentuates the good and ignores the unpopular or transient aspects of history. David Hamer attributes the saving of urban neighborhoods from the destruction-oriented Urban Renewal Act of 1954, he acknowledges that these districts are sanitized versions of the past lacking historic authenticity. (viii) The motivations for these developments range from increasing real estate values, to clean up run-down inner cities, or to "gentrify" the area excluding minorities, cyclical periods of history, and unpopular themes.
Thomas Noel, an accomplished author, History Professor, and avid researcher on bars and brothels, acknowledges the trend of historic districts to focus on economics, aesthetics and tourism compromising historical accuracy. Citing the Federal Tax Reform Act of 1976, he affirms Hamer's position that tax incentives have accelerated the establishment of historic districts and state preservation offices. Refreshing in his critic, he gives accolades to the book for the "dispassionate and critical" focus. However, he questions why minorities other than blacks and areas other than urban sites are chosen in the book. Accepting the conditions Hamer established in the preface, the limited scope is justified. Noel credits Hamer with researching a wide variety of primary sources ranging from planners, historians, and geographers. The final review is from a geographer.
While I enjoyed the refreshing perspective of disrobing the emperor, I found myself readily acknowledging concepts that were repeated throughout the book. As in this review, there are only so many ways that one can say that historical designation may not have historical authenticity at its roots. Since I am critiquing Hamer in his presentation of information, I would refer him to Peters and Waterman, In Search of Excellence, as a precedent study in presenting themes and evidence to support the thesis. As a business classic, the approach used would better serve the audience. This is the reason he did not get 5 stars. Having said that, I acknowledge that I am not an urban historian and maybe the book's format and approach is in tune with the intended audience.
This book was very much worth reading as it enlightened me with facts that I have assumed without having a hard basis for my logic. I have always felt that Colonial Williamsburg is held up as an icon for preservation as Frontierland at Disneyworld represents the west. Without examples and peer reviewed facts, I had little on which to base my assumptions. Hamer's book has given me a fresh perspective and courage to ask the tough questions, though unpopular.
I know of no other books on this subject, and I applaud David Hamer for applying his best efforts to document a popular phenomenon in an unpopular light. When we can objectively see Historic Districts for what they are, we are better positioned to serve subsequent generations with accurate history, and softly suggest alternatives to Mickey Mouse Restoration efforts. The Emperor in the nude is a sight to behold.
Candidate for Masters of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
University of Colorado at Denver
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Title: Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice by Norman Tyler ISBN: 0393730395 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 01 October, 1999 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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Title: Keeping Time : The History and Theory of Preservation in America (Preservation Press S.) by William J. Murtagh ISBN: 0471182400 Publisher: Wiley Pub. Date: 15 August, 1997 List Price(USD): $50.00 |
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Title: A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia McAlester, Lee McAlester, Juan Rodriguez-Arnaiz, Lauren Jarrett (Illustrator) ISBN: 0394739698 Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Pub. Date: 01 May, 1984 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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