FormTomorrow

Susan Crook of Utah Heritage Foundation spent several hours with the Education to Action Interns discussing Historic Cultural Landscapes. If you are not sure what a Historic Cultural Landscape is, you might want to listen to the audiocast posted here.

Living as close as we do to Zion National Park it is easy to focus on the glorious natural and scenic resources that surround us. There is, however, a growing awareness of the value of historic cultural landscapes: places that have been shaped by people, and places that shape us. Although a great deal of effort has gone into preserving historic structures, efforts at documenting and preserving landscapes is growing. Much of the character of rural Utah towns come from the dimension of the block, the interspersed pastures, the aging nut trees. If we are to preserve our heritage, we will need to understand that our heritage extends far beyond four walls.

It is also important for us all to remember that there are places all over rural Utah that were significant to the Paiute–natural formations and locations that had particular significance. As we consider history, its recognition and preservation, we should remember that history includes all peoples.

If you are interested in learning more about Historic Cultural Landscapes, Susan Crook recommends  consulting The Alliance for Historic Landscape Preservation or The Cultural Landscape Foundation.   You can find find the Utah Heritage foundation at www.utahheritagefoundation.org.