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Chaco Culture World Heritage Site Landscape Gains Temporary Protection

June 7, 2023

On June 2, 2023, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a 20-year withdrawal of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Culture National Historical Park and World Heritage Site from oil, gas and mineral extraction leasing via Public Land Order No.7923. The withdrawal will…

Introducing our 2023 International Exchange Program Interns

June 7, 2023

Nine interns are headed to Washington, DC, this week for the IEP 2023 Orientation. Their stay will feature meetings with preservation officials, tours of museums and monuments, and time to get to know each other. They will also learn about the U.S. system of historic preservation before they head to…

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In Philadelphia, monuments are more than just stone and bronze. They're time capsules that take us back to pivotal moments in American history. From William Penn, the Liberty Bell, to even the Rocky Balboa statue, Philadelphia boasts a wide range of public art that rivals the most famous cities around the world. In fact, Philadelphia holds the world record for the most public art in a single city.

As we take a closer look at Philadelphia's monuments, we'll shine a light on the stories and history often left in the shadows. It’s only right that the Monuments Toolkit took a deep dive into the monuments that the city upholds, the monuments that have caused tension in recent years, and the right path for a city filled with so much history. Together, we'll grapple with the complexities of memory, seeking to understand how these monuments can bridge divides and pave the way for a more inclusive future.

For this conversation, we spoke with Paul Steinke from the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and Harry Philbrick from The Philadelphia Contemporary.

Earlier in his career, Paul Steinke served for four years as the founding Executive Director of University City District, a neighborhood improvement organization that has been central to the revitalization of West Philadelphia. Before that, Paul was a founding staff member of the Center City District, Philadelphia’s downtown improvement agency, where he spent seven years as its Finance Director.

Paul Steinke now serves as executive director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, a membership-based organization whose mission is to promote the appreciation, adaptive re-use and development of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities and landscapes.

Harry Philbrick has over 25 years of experience in museum management, exhibition development, and educational programming. Philbrick is keenly aware of the challenges of making contemporary art exhibitions accessible to a variety of
Audiences. From 1996 - 2010 he was Director of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, building the Museum’s celebrated new building, developing innovative education programs and leading the museum's exhibition program, working with artists such as Ann Hamilton, Robert Gober, Fred Wilson, and KAWS.

Philbrick founded Philadelphia Contemporary in 2016. The Contemporary‘s mission is to connect the people and places of Philadelphia through art and partnership.

The Monumental Project spoke on the history of the city, the monuments that shape the artistic culture, and how historic structures affect all of us. Enjoy!
@worldheritageusa @preservationallianceforgre4106

@philadelphiacontemporary7369

YouTube Video VVVxVnVURkpIalNia0s1djgxUFk1ajhnLjItaTR2Q1RhN1Zv

Sculpted Stories: Philadelphia's Public Art and Monument History

World Heritage USA (US National Committee ICOMOS) 18 views May 26, 2023 2:58 pm

The theme of this year’s International Day of Monuments and Sites, “Heritage Changes,” was dedicated to showcasing heritage practices that contribute to climate resilience. In keeping with this theme, our April World Heritage Webinar focused on how efforts to preserve cultural heritage can lead to climate action. Join Michael Durglo, Tribal Historic Preservation Department Head of the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes, Partick Gonzalez, former Principal Climate Change Scientist of the U.S. National Park Service, and Felix J. Lopez, Cultural Resources Program Manager at San Juan National Historic Site, to learn how historic sites are threatened by climate change, and how indigenous knowledge can contribute to the safeguarding of cultural landscapes, and how cultural heritage can be used to incentivize action.

Learn more about Indigenous Climate Action by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes here: http://csktclimate.org/

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome Remarks and Introductions - Douglas Comer, President of World Heritage USA and Destry Jarvis, Vice President of World Heritage USA
03:03 Michael Durglo - Tribal Historic Preservation Department Head, Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes
19:51 Patrick Gonzalez - former Principal Climate Change Scientist of the U.S. National Park Service
42:09 Felix J. Lopez - Cultural Resources Program Manager, San Juan National Historic Site
59:51 Q&A

US/ICOMOS is now World Heritage USA | U.S. National Committee of the International Council of Monuments and Sites!

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YouTube Video VVVxVnVURkpIalNia0s1djgxUFk1ajhnLnM0UnBLZUdwRmdr

Heritage as a Driver of Climate Action - World Heritage Webinar

World Heritage USA (US National Committee ICOMOS) 1.2K views May 7, 2023 3:39 pm

Urban planning has been a hot topic in recent years, with the world's cities experiencing rapid growth and transformation. As populations surge and infrastructure struggles to keep up, urban planners face a myriad of challenges. One such challenge is how to reconcile the need for progress with the preservation of our cultural heritage. This issue is especially pronounced when it comes to monuments that have come under scrutiny for their controversial histories.

Many of these structures, from the Confederate memorials in the south to statues of colonial figures out west and on the east coast , have become flashpoints for social instability. For many, they are a bitter reminder of past atrocities as well as a celebration of authoritarian systems. Others see them as emblems of cultural heritage and testaments to their forefathers' achievements. How do we reconcile these opposed points of view, and what role do urban planners play in this debate?

As cities continue to evolve, their planning strategies must do the same. Urban planners have a critical role to play in shaping our cities and ensuring that they are inclusive, and equitable for all. This includes addressing the issue of controversial monuments and their impact on public spaces. Whether through the removal, relocation, or recontextualization of these structures, urban planners must find a way to strike a balance between preservation and progress. To speak to that, we sat down with Matthew Clarke from the Design Trust for Public Space.

Matthew Clarke joined the Design Trust in May of 2020 as Executive Director, where he advocates for the power of public space to build vibrant, equitable communities. As an architect, planner, and writer, he has created complex architectural and urban design projects; developed public-space policies; and developed national partnerships and initiatives. Prior to leading the Design Trust, Matthew was the National Director of Creative Placemaking at The Trust for Public Land, where he authored The Field Guide for Creative Placemaking and Parks. He has also held positions at SHoP Architects and NYC’s Department of Cultural Affairs,

The Monumental Project spoke with Matthew about how to shape cities for the future, how controversial monuments affect the average citizen, and the importance of a city that reflects the people within it. Enjoy!
@designtrustnyc

YouTube Video VVVxVnVURkpIalNia0s1djgxUFk1ajhnLmYyMjFzYkUtVF9B

MT Webinar: Reimagining Monuments and Urban Spaces: A Vision for More Inclusive City Planning

World Heritage USA (US National Committee ICOMOS) 62 views April 28, 2023 12:14 pm

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The U.S. National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (World Heritage USA) promotes the conservation of world heritage and stronger connections to the global heritage community through advocacy, education, and the international exchange of people and ideas.

1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20006
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Statue of Liberty National Monument World Heritage Site (1984)

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World Heritage USA, US Natl Comm ICOMOS

6 days ago

The U.S. needs to pay its dues to the World Heritage Committee. Read our testimony to the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations here: buff.ly/43iNUqi
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Its long overdue that the United States invests in diplomacy and becomes an active member in "good standing" at UNESCO. If not, I fear China and Russia continue to play an oversized role in this institution.

World Heritage USA, US Natl Comm ICOMOS

1 week ago

For the past few months, our Emerging Professional researcher, Emilia Sánchez González, has been delving into the history and legacy of the Underground Railroad in Mexico. Her work is part of our International Underground Railroad project, a joint initiative between World Heritage USA and the National Park Service Network to Freedom

On June 5th at 2:30pm UK time, Emilia will present a paper titled “Negotiating Black Seminole transnational memory on the US-Mexican borderlands” at the University of Oxford’s Transnational and Global History Seminar. At this annual conference, she will join more than 30 other graduate students and early career scholars in exploring the theme of “diaspora: identity and belonging”

Presentations on June 5th will take place online and can be watched for free! To hear about Emilia’s research, register to attend at www.oxfordtghs.com

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World Heritage USA, US Natl Comm ICOMOS

2 weeks ago

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: Join the Monuments Toolkit team 30 May to learn about Nationalism and Monuments of Oppression in Taiwan and Ireland. buff.ly/45c1jle ... See MoreSee Less

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: Join the Monuments Toolkit team 30 May to learn about Nationalism and Monuments of Oppression in Taiwan and Ireland. https://buff.ly/45c1jle

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World Heritage USA, US Natl Comm ICOMOS

2 weeks ago

NEXT TUESDAY: Join the Monuments Toolkit team 30 May to hear from Dr. Shu-mei Huang about the political contention around Chiang Kai-shek statues in Taiwan; and Dr. Emily Mark-Fitzgerald on Ireland's unique cases of monument rejection and destruction. Free but please register in advance. buff.ly/45c1jle ... See MoreSee Less

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World Heritage USA, US Natl Comm ICOMOS

2 weeks ago

What have you done lately for the next generation of heritage professionals? Help Fernanda get to Sydney to present her Roadside Motel research (IEP2022, San Antonio World Heritage Office) by making a contribution today! buff.ly/3GIuC1w ... See MoreSee Less

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World Heritage USA, US Natl Comm ICOMOS

2 weeks ago

Join the Monuments Toolkit team 30 May to hear from Dr. Shu-mei Huang about the political contention around Chiang Kai-shek statues in Taiwan; and Dr. Emily Mark-Fitzgerald on Ireland's unique cases of monument rejection and destruction. Free but please register in advance. buff.ly/45c1jle ... See MoreSee Less

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World Heritage USA, US Natl Comm ICOMOS

2 weeks ago

Help a young professional on their path to a career in international heritage conservation ❤️ Our International Exchange Program begins next month and we need your contribution to bring these emerging professionals to the U.S. for their orientation! buff.ly/3GIuC1w ... See MoreSee Less