Keeping Time: The History and Theory of Preservation in America

Praise for the First Edition . . .

A single volume offering a synopsis of the history of the preservation movement, an analysis of the relevant data, and a discussion of the key issues facing preservationists . . . informative and well written. --The Public Historian.

William Murtagh, the first Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, presents an effective portrait of the preservation movement by looking into the values underlying the efforts to safeguard America's architectural heritage, including the development of legislation and court action. A section on the National Trust for Historic Preservation explains how this private, non-profit organization created in the 1940s has expanded its services and goals parallel with changes in the national preservation movement.

Three useful appendices give a sampling of the pertinent federal legislation, the National Register's criteria for evaluation, and the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines. A chronology of important dates in the history of preservation from the eighteenth century through the present encapsulates the movement's achievements.

75 black-and-white photographs depict the beautiful and intriguing architecture of buildings all across the country, as Keeping Time investigates every aspect of the national picture, including historic house museums, outdoor museums, historic districts, rural and landscape preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive use.

A thorough yet succinct look at American community preservation — its history, practice and legal framework. This book discusses the roles of the private citizen and government, as well as the practice of house museums, historic districts, building rehabilitation, landscape preservation, rural preservation and archaeology.

The author is a fixture in American preservation — he was the first Keeper of the National Register for Historic Places and a former vice president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
-- Appendices summarize relevant federal legislation, the National Register criteria for evaluating historic sites, and the Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehabilitation.
-- A chronology of preservation history, from 1749 to the present, encapsulates pivotal developments in community preservation in the US.

The historic preservation movement has had a huge influence on America's built landscape for the past thirty years. Discover the cornerstone primer on the topic — Keeping Time. This edition features a wealth of new material, including new chapters on preservation values in oral-based cultures, international preservation, and future developments in the field.

In addition, youll find a clear, concise survey of preservation movements history, complete with:

• Helpful coverage of the theory and practice driving the movement.
• Expanded material on landscape preservation.
• New information on scientific conservation, cultural corridors, and historic tourism.
• Numerous informative photographs illustrating the book's content.

Order your copy of this fundamental volume for tomorrow's historic preservationists today.

Praise for the First Edition

"A single volume offering a synopsis of the history of the preservation movement, an analysis of the relevant data, and a discussion of the key issues facing preservationists . . . informative and well written."

—The Public Historian

The historic preservation movement has had a huge influence on America's built landscape for the past thirty years, and Keeping Time is the cornerstone primer for students of all ages. This Third Edition features a wealth of new material, including new chapters on preservation values in oral-based cultures, international preservation, and future developments in the field.

In an engaging and useful format, Keeping Time, Third Edition continues its long tradition of providing a concise, clear survey of the history of the preservation movement, complete with helpful coverage of the theory and practice driving it. Expanded coverage of landscape preservation as well as new material on scientific conservation, cultural corridors, and historic tourism is supported by dozens of informative photographs, making this a fundamental volume for tomorrow's historic preservationists.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 220-237) and index.

WILLIAM J. MURTAGH has held pivotal positions in the field of historic preservation for more than 30 years. He has served as first Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, Department of the Interior, and has been Vice President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and President of the Victorian Society in America. He directed the Preservation Program at Columbia University, and initiated Preservation programs at the University of Maryland and the University of Hawaii.

Preface.

Preface to the Previous Edition.

Introduction.

Chapter 1. The Language of Preservation.

Chapter 2. The Preservation Movement and the Private Citizen Before World War II.

Chapter 3. The Preservation Movement and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Chapter 4. Government and the Preservation Movement.

Chapter 5. Government and Preservation Since World War II.

Chapter 6. The Historic Room and House Museum.

Chapter 7. Outdoor Museums.

Chapter 8. Historic Districts.

Chapter 9. Rehabilitation and Adaptive Use.

Chapter 10. Landscape Preservation.

Chapter 11. Rural and Small Town Preservation.

Chapter 12. Archaeology.

Chapter 13. Preservation Values in Oral Based Cultures.

Chapter 14. Preservation in Practice.

Chapter 15. International Preservation.

Epilogue: And What of the Future?

Appendix A: Selected Federal Legislation.

Appendix B: The National Register's Criteria for Evaluation.

Appendix C: The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.

Appendix D: Preservation Resources.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Illustration Credits.

Index.