Who Owns the Past?

Our memories are some of the most personal and unique things we can possess. We may share common experiences with other people, but the idea that memories of our own past could belong to anyone else seems ridiculous.

But what about the objects and places that shaped those memories? By providing a tangible link to the past, these items have meaning to the people who value them by evoking important memories, and can serve a powerful unifying function for people who share common experiences. They can also reach beyond individual lifespans to help people, families, and communities understand their past, and shape their identities.

These things may be owned – but can also be bought, sold, lost, destroyed or otherwise made unavailable – and due their very nature, often cannot be replaced if lost, permanently losing their association with the past and the people who value them.

Obviously the question of ‘who owns the past?’ is complicated, and lacks a single, tidy answer.

Nevertheless, after discovering a time capsule in Edwardsburg, Michigan, a man is asking this very question.

While restoring his home, Kerry Jones discovered a time capsule placed in the cornerstone of the former church when it was dedicated in 1892 (see the video here for a short news story). 

He is asking the public for help deciding what do to with it – he lists four options.

-      Sell it and keep the money;

-      Sell it and use the money for the current church, which has moved down the road;

-      Donate it to the historical society or the church;

-      Replace it and leave it for future generations.

Jones says he’s seeking input because the time capsule is part of the history of the community despite technically belonging to him.

At first this situation seems fairly straightforward – after all, a time capsule is meant for someone else to find. The people who placed it in the cornerstone did so imagining what the world would be like when it was finally opened. But what happens after the initial excitement of discovery? After opening the time capsule, who should decide what happens to the contents?

By asking this question, Mr. Jones realizes that he may own these objects, but not their history. Think about your own family heirlooms, about places that places important to you, or your family. It’s easy to imagine this items as our “own”, but many times we’re just caretakers, temporarily holding them until others come along to receive them, and their history.

  

The Role of Trees in Historic Neighborhoods

Trees were on the minds of many Michiana residents following the storms in early July. Fallen limbs and toppled trees damaged homes and property, knocked out electricity, and required extended cleanup.

Like many things in the background of our day-to-day life we may not think about the trees in our neighborhoods very much – until we’re forced to, either by storms, or the calendar, when it’s time to rake – again…

It’s easy to think of our neighborhoods as made of separate individual pieces - our homes, businesses, streets, the open spaces, parks and trees - but in reality they are not independent.  All of these parts combine to form the unique places we live and work. Think about recent changes in your own neighborhood; the last time a new building went up, or one came down, think about recent (or ongoing) road construction, or maybe look at the empty space down the street where that tree stood until the last storm.

These sorts of changes can affect the entire neighborhood, for both residents and visitors. The impact can be more dramatic in historic neighborhoods, where the trees themselves may be historically significant as well as contributors to the overall character of the landscape.

This was the case in many historic neighborhoods in downtown South Bend.  The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and Saint Joseph County  (HPC) documented damage in a number of historic districts and local landmarks including downed trees and damaged homes and cars.  Just one example is in Howard Park, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, where efforts are underway to clean up several downed trees and repair significant storm damage to the Works Progress Administration-era cottage.

Of course, safety, restoring electricity, and repairing damage are top priorities in the recovery efforts, but keeping preservation in mind when making these decisions goes a long way toward avoiding any unintended impacts to our neighborhoods. Damaged limbs and other tree hazards must be taken very seriously as a risk to public safety, but once the immediate threat is addressed, several options are available to proactively manage trees, balancing preservation and safety.

The HPC has prepared guidelines for each of the nine local historic districts in South Bend (available on their website). These address the unique histories, buildings, and environment of the individual neighborhoods, and include standards for maintaining elements that reflect the district’s character, regarding both structures, and natural elements. In general, the guidelines recommend removing trees only due to damage, disease, or if the tree threatens a structure, or is otherwise unsafe.  When planting new trees the guidelines also recommend choosing certain tree species that reflect the historic character and correspond to the ecological setting of the district.  Preventative maintenance can extend the life of a tree, some of which may be performed by homeowners or volunteers, such as proper mulching, or simple regular inspections. Others, such as pruning, cabling, or aeration should be performed only by a certified arborist.

Many properties in these districts have trees, either individually in yards, standing along streets and sidewalks, or in greenspace. Some of these trees were likely planted immediately following the initial construction of homes, or individually chosen to remain in place by the builders. Others though likely predate construction, such as the large stand of oak trees in the Riverside Drive District that may date to the late 1800s.

These trees contribute to the character of these neighborhoods in many ways. The overhead canopy in the Edgewater District creates the effect of an entrance to the neighborhood, distinguishing it from the surrounding area.  The trees planted along the sidewalks in the River Bend District help create a separate space for pedestrians by separating the sidewalk from the street. Trees also help to link many of these neighborhoods to the St. Joseph River, to open spaces such as Leeper and Shetterly Parks, and to adjacent districts.

Whether in a formally designated historic district, or other neighborhoods, trees shape the character of our community. Along with providing ecological benefits, shade, and space for recreation, they also connect us to our past  - either by allowing us to stand in the same place as the French explorer LaSalle at the site of the former Council Oak in Highland Cemetery, or to simply climb the same tree that your grandfather did when he was young. By incorporating a little preventative maintenance and enlisting a professional arborist when necessary, we can help preserve the important places in our community.

Note - I would like to thank Elicia Feasel, Assistant Director of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend for her input and suggestions, including providing details about the storm damage.

Toward a Healthy Client – Consultant Relationship

Consulting is simple. But don’t make the mistake of equating “simple” with “easy”.
    

You may have heard some version of the story where, after quietly examining a malfunctioning machine, an outside expert marks an “X” showing the machine’s owner where to strike with a hammer. The owner follows this advice, and finding the machine fixed, happily turns to the expert, asking “How much do I owe you?” The expert responds “$10,000.” The owner, astonished, replies “All you did was draw an ‘X’, how can that cost $10,000?” The expert then shows an invoice listing two charges:

• Drawing an ‘X’ - $1.00.
• Knowing where to put it - $9,999.00.

The story illustrates the difference between the value of an action and the expertise behind it. This is the essence of consulting – providing expert advice. The expert in the story is paid for the results derived from his expertise – the machine is fixed.

The Role of the Consultant

Put simply, the role of the consultant is to improve the client’s situation – that’s it.

Unfortunately many consultants are unable to make the distinction between this concept and the less beneficial practice (to both the consultant and the client) of “doing whatever the client says.”

If the client can accomplish their objectives by simply directing subordinates, why waste time and money hiring an expert? The consultant is a peer of the client, a partner, working in collaboration to improve a situation. Both parties benefit from this.

“Your project is our priority” is a common theme of many consultant’s marketing materials. This sounds good – but;

1 - Would anyone really claim otherwise?

and,

2 -Generic platitudes like this lack any kind of real meaning without the behaviors to support them.

The consultant’s priority is to stay in business (unless it’s a hobby – and I’m not sure how many clients are interested in hiring a weekend warrior). How well can a consultant focus on helping their client if the consultant is worried about keeping the lights on?

To be clear, I’m not suggesting that consultants should offer their clients a mediocre effort or avoid going the ‘extra-mile’. Quite the contrary. To offer the best service, consultants themselves must carefully consider their own role in the client-consultant relationship.

As with any significant relationship, there must be balance or the relationship will eventually break down despite the best efforts, however well meaning, of either party. The following lists several productive (and counter-productive) behaviors that consultants often employ in their client relationships. Of course none of the ‘productive’ behaviors guarantee a successful client relationship, but they make it more likely by helping to create balance. Conversely, spending too much time on the ‘counter-productive’ side leads to an imbalance in the relationship, putting it, and ultimately the consultant themselves, at risk of failure.

Productive	Counter-productive
Viewed by the client as a peer, an expert	Viewed by the client as a subordinate
Actually listens to the client	Anticipates what the client will say – and replies with prepared response
Focuses on providing value	Focuses on methods
Focuses on helping the client	Focuses on the sale
Provides a customized solution	Provides a commodity
Focuses on the result	Focuses on the deliverable
Provides what the client needs	Provides what the client wants
When feasible, bases fees on the value provided, allowing for fair compensation for the consultant and a great return on investment for the client – both parties benefit from quality, speed, and efficiency.	Bases fees on units – time, materials, or a combination, creating a conflict of interest – a quicker or more efficient outcome benefits the client, but is a detriment to the consultant and vice-versa.

To have the best opportunity for success, you must put yourself in the best position possible.  As with most significant relationships, there must be balance in the client-consultant relationship. Without it, the relationship will eventually decline, to the detriment of both parties.

Integrated Management of Natural and Cultural Resources

Project planning and land management typically consider cultural and natural resources independently, as if they are islands, alone on the landscape. This can lead to isolated, and at times conflicting management decisions. The landscape is the product of the collective interaction of human activities and the environment (which also includes things like safe roads and a reliable energy infrastructure).

An integrated management approach understanding that cultural and natural resources co-exist can yield outcomes that benefit the resources while acknowledging the realities of the modern environment.

Places with natural or cultural value occupy a landscape containing
numerous other resources, including modern elements. An integrated management
 approach considersthese resources in the context of this landscape, rather than in a vacuum.

Definitions

Before we go any further, allow me a brief digression to define some terms. Cultural resources might conjure up images of archaeologists dusting off pottery on an international dig, or a sign marking some historic battlefield, but in reality cultural resources can be much more.

Here are a just few examples:

·         Archaeological sites,

·         Historical objects,

·         Historic structure or collection of structures,

·         Scenic landscapes,

·         Spiritual places, or

·         Any place or object that has historic or cultural value.

Natural Resources, of course, include things that naturally occur on the landscape and possess ecological value, such as:

·         Plant and animal species,

·         Habitats,

·         Water, air, or land resources.

It is important to understand that these categories aren’t mutually exclusive – items that might initially be considered natural resources could also be valued by a group of people as a cultural resource – for example certain landscapes, or certain animals or plants have particular meaning to certain groups of people. Places can also possess multiple resource types – for instance, a designated scenic byway may travel past an historic battlefield, a local cemetery, and historic downtown, all located in a river valley home to endangered plant and animal species. All of which can present unique management challenges in a world that needs things like safe roads, reliable energy, and clean water.

Integrated Management

A proactive approach integrating the management of natural and cultural resources can address these challenges. The benefits include:

·         Increased Efficiency - Specialists from multiple disciplines can share data and coordinate work, reducing duplication and overall labor intensity.

·         Increased Consistency - This approach also allows consistent use of data and reporting of results. This enables crews to easily maintain up-to-date information regarding resource identification, project details, and other rapidly changing information.

·     Improved Collaboration - Impacts of projects on a particular resource are considered in the context of other resources and the project as a whole, avoiding unintended impacts.

The landscape is the product of the collective interaction human activities and the environment. To act as if individual natural and cultural resources occupy this landscape alone, or in a vacuum ignores this connection and places these resources at risk. Developing an integrated management approach for these resources, allows us to better understand threats to our collective important places, while accounting for the needs of a modern world.  

Ten Sources for Background Research - why you shouldn't look for archaeological sites on your desktop

Checking the list of previously recorded archaeological sites at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is usually one of the first steps of a “Phase I/Class I, etc. archaeological survey”.  Background research like this prepares the archaeologist for the types of sites that might occur in the survey area.

The problem comes when such lists make up the only source of background research. SHPO archives are full of these reports. This is perfectly okay of course, assuming that the only type of archaeological site you wish to know about are those:

• located in area of the previous surveys;
• recognizable to the expertise and interest of the archaeologist who performed the survey, and;
• properly recorded as archaeological sites in the SHPO records.

On the other hand, if your goal is to develop better expectations about the types of sites that might be expected in the project area, additional resources warrant consideration.

The following suggestions, shown in no particular order, do not represent an exhaustive list, nor are they appropriate for every situation. Simply, they are additional sources you can use to help provide a clearer picture of the types of archaeological resources that may be present in a particular area.

1 - Consider what types of resources that might be affected by the project

The first, and perhaps, most important source is the project itself. You may not be an expert in archaeology, but you can make a good faith effort to think about what types of archaeological sites might be impacted by your project.

Will the project create something very tall, or will it be something in the ground; is it something long and linear, or something restricted to a small parcel? Don’t forget about effects that might extend beyond your project boundaries – like noise, visual, or atmospheric effects.

If your project involves extensive excavation, it has the potential to impact sites that may not be visible on the ground surface.

Which is important to know since during previous archaeological surveys in your project area the archaeologists simply walked over the ground, looking for sites on the surface, unaware of the prehistoric sites deeply buried by flood deposits.

2 - Consult historic maps

Historic maps can provide information about previous land use and the location of features that may no longer be immediately obvious.

A map might tell you that the lonely county road intersection once was a crossroads town with a half-dozen structures, or that the cluster of trees in the farm field is really close to the mapped location of a small family cemetery.

3 - Consult local histories

Local histories can add more information about events that shaped places in your area.

Perhaps explaining that the crossroads town declined when it was bypassed by the railroad, in favor of the next town over. Or that the family cemetery contained some of the county’s earliest settlers.

4 - Talk to local historians

Similarly, local historians can provide additional detail and information that may not be widely available. 

The historian might be able to show you sources explaining that most of the buildings from the crossroads town were carefully dismantled and moved after the railroad went in to the next town.

5 - Talk to long term local residents

Local residents can provide perspective that is simply unavailable to someone from outside the community. 

They can share their concerns about a particular site, they can tell you the rectangular depression is a borrow pit for topsoil dug within the last 20 years, not a historic feature. They can also tell you about the stories their grandfather told them about the earthen mound back in the woods.

6 - Talk to tribal elders

Federal agencies have special responsibilities toward Indian Tribes because federally recognized tribes are sovereign governments entitled to “government to government consultation”. This is a formal process, but can be as informal as the tribe and agency agree. Regardless of who conducts the consultation, tribal elders can provide unique information about the history of your area. 

The can communicate their concerns about parts of the landscape with spiritual meaning. Particularly important if these areas lack the types of artifacts or features recognizable to archaeologists.

 

7 - Conduct a “windshield survey”

Simply driving through the area looking for sites or buildings that look old can help. Sometimes the intense focus on the specific project limits can cause you to miss things that are just outside the boundaries. 

A windshield survey can help you spot the cemetery located downhill and around the corner from the area planned planned for dewatering discharge.

8 -Talk to artifact collectors

Like local residents, artifact collectors can know more about your project area than any specialist. 

They can tell you about the artifacts eroding out of the creek bed or how they used to find artifacts every time it rained before the local farmers switched to no-till planting.

9 - Review environmental information

Information about the geology, physiography, and past climates is important to understand where sites may occur. 

People in the past may have been using places that no longer even exist – like the former banks of the now-channelized stream in your project area.

10 - Conduct remote sensing

Remote sensing provides information not visible from the ground. 

Aerial photography, satellite imagery, or other similar information can help locate the stream bank, or reveal the presence of prehistoric earthworks leveled by years of agricultural activity.

Conclusion

In addition to learning the locations of previously recorded sites background research can also help you:

• determine what types of sites might occur in your project area;
• understand what these sites might look like;
• learn what environmental, historic, or other factors might have influenced their location;
• decide what sort of expertise might be needed to locate and evaluate them, and;
• develop sufficient expectations about how to manage them.

Background research is integral to any archaeological project, but unless the information shows it is nearly impossible for archaeological sites to be present, research alone rarely eliminates the need for field investigation. Field verification is still necessary to confirm the background information, much of which may be subject to error and bias. But comprehensive background research can better prepare you to predict what types of archaeological sites are located in your project area and equip you to manage them.

These are just a few of the places you can look for background information about your project area. Each of these sources can provide unique information about the types of archaeological resources that might occur in or near your project. Some of them are more passive or are limited in the information they provide – historic maps for example, either will or won’t show certain types of information by their very nature.

The take home point here is to take the information from these, or other sources, and actually think about it. Put some genuine effort into the “good faith effort” necessary for meaningful consultation. It will help identify aspects of the archaeological record people care about and contribute to more informed decision-making.

Copyright J Ryan Duddleson 2014. All rights reserved.