Historic Preservation

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Feasibility study for future use of the Bostwick property
(2011-12) Bazar, Nancy; Britanik, Kristin L.; Brown, Rachel Elizabeth Hetherington; Demore, Carissa Holly; Gastner, Mary Kate; Hardej, Thomas; Lamprakos, Michele
Since its construction in 1746, Bostwick has been a constant presence in Bladensburg, Maryland. It has survived as a standing structure with several acres of intact historic landscape, while the built environment of the surrounding area has evolved. The original structure, many of the historic outbuildings, and the landscape remain, but throughout its history Bostwick’s buildings and landscape have changed in appearance, function, and its relationship to the local community. Today, the property is physically deteriorating, and damage from the August 2011 earthquake has only made the situation worse. It has become a problem for both its owner, the Town of Bladensburg, and the greater preservation community. All involved are interested in Bostwick’s survival, and all agree that its potential future use could be the cornerstone in Bladensburg’s continuing development. As part of an ongoing relationship between the University of Maryland and the Town, this studio project was developed to explore recommendations for a new use of Bostwick. The recommended scenario builds upon the strengths of the Bladensburg community and the unique heritage of Bostwick. This report is divided into two parts: (1) Research & Assessment and (2) Recommendations. Part 1 details all of our research, including the past and present context of both Bostwick and greater Bladensburg, previous preservation efforts and studies, stakeholder values, and comparable sites. All of this data informs Part 2 of this report, which contains our recommendations for the future use of Bostwick.
Preservation as perpetuation: a review of federal tribal cultural preservation recommendations and programs
(2012-05) Brown, Rachel Elizabeth Hetherington; Linebaugh, Donald W.
One of the goals of the modern Indian movement is the protection and perpetuation of tribal cultural practices, which includes the retention of tribal language, religion, oral histories, and the protection of sacred sites. Both the modern Indian movement and the preservation movement can trace similar paths in their rise in popularity, and their efforts to advance certain policy initiatives in the 20th century. These movements, however, have sometimes come into conflict with one another. U.S. preservation policies and programs were initially strictly focused on the preservation of historic buildings, and using preservation to tell the American story. Recognition of sacred sites or tribal connections to the land, as well as telling the Native American point of view of western expansion was not a priority of federal efforts to preserve America’s past. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, tribes fought for greater recognition of the significance of traditional cultural properties and the repatriation of Indian human remains and sacred and funerary objects. In response, Congressional directed the National Park Service (NPS) to report on funding needs related to sites of historical significance on Indian lands. The NPS subsequently issued a report titled Keepers of the Treasures: Protecting Historic Properties and Cultural Traditions on Indian Lands (Keepers of the Treasures). The report concluded that tribes must have an opportunity to participate fully in the national historic preservation program, but on terms that respect their cultural values, traditions, and sovereignty. The report concluded with thirteen policy recommendations to Congress regarding ways in which the federal government could create, adapt, or change preservation programs to better suit the unique needs of Indian tribes. Keepers of the Treasures was issued 21 years ago and raised many concerns about the effectiveness of federal preservation programs in relation to Indian tribes and cultural preservation. After two decades, many issues and questions raised in the report remain unresolved or unanswered. Through an evaluation of NPS preservation programs and the thirteen recommendations made in Keepers of the Treasures, this paper analyzes the efforts made by the federal government to adapt its preservation programs to assist Native American communities (American Indian tribes, Native Alaskan Villages and Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations) with cultural preservation projects. Additionally, this study attempts to document the ways in which preservation priorities of Native American communities have shifted over the last 21 years. The overall goal of this paper is to help the federal government improve its effectiveness in assisting tribes as they work to preserve not only significant sites, but also tribal language and culture.