Great American Landmarks Adventure: Foreword

The Great American Landmarks Adventure

Great American Landmarks Adventure: Foreword Forward

Near the end of the 1990s, over 2,000 buildings, structures, and sites have been designated National Historic Landmarks because of their exceptional significance in American history. These special places can serve as invaluable resources for studying our nation's people and events. Landmarks are proof of and a "physical backdrop" for our nation's past. Landmarks are also historical antecedents; what we have done in the past can be linked to what we are doing now and will probably continue to do in one form or another, in the future.

The 43 National Historic Landmarks selected for The Great American Landmarks Adventure may be viewed overall as a tribute to our nation's achievements and potential. Rather than simply congratulate ourselves for jobs well done, however, the Adventure book is designed to encourage the study of broad and recurring themes and issues within the American experience. For example, many Landmarks point out our similarities with other peoples of the world. Organized thematically, this supplemental guide's purpose is to promote and assist more in-depth and analytical examination of the issues suggested by the Adventure book.

The most important goal of the Adventure book and this guide is to stimulate students' interest in their environment--to look around and see themselves as both keepers and creators of this nation's history. At the end of the book, each student is asked to select a landmark in light of the historical precedents offered. Completing this activity can enhance their framework for thinking about what "we the people" believe is historically important and should be preserved for future generations.

Kay Weeks

Contents| Previous |Next