--- In [email protected], charlie leonard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > when the new casino was built, did anyone question why it didnt resemble the old one? or at least build off from it? the new, current one, looked entirely different. were there no historians back then? or didnt anyone care. is today's historic attributions based more on nostalgics? > ==============================================================
Charlie, History is not something you can look at in snap-shots and then apply the standards of a different time period to. There are issues of context, evolving knowledge and linkages that become evident only after the events in question. First - the big context - Western civilization, in particular that of North America, is based upon the concept of using the environment for the improvement of ones physical existance. The evolution of Asbury Park is rooted in those ideals and evidenced by the continual improvements of the built environment (the beachfront) for the benefit of the public. The construction of the Second Casino (our current one) was an expression of the best architecture and technologies of the time. In particular fire safety, electrical systems, heating etc. It literally defies the Ocean with its steel, masonry, copper and brickwork. It represented the highest cultural ideals for the public at the time. So to answer the first part of your question, the 'old' Casino was just that, a repesentation of a past era of values and a danger to the public. (it burned down in a spectacular fire in 1928) Second - historians - of course there were historians back then, recording and researching what was considered "history" at the time. Keep in mind that King Tut had recently been discovered. You are confusing historians with what today is Historic Preservation. The Preservation movement is relatively recent and rooted in the Federal Antiquities Act, fornmation of the National Parks Service and private/non-profit preservation of select historic sites (starting with Mt Vernon). Do you see the connection here with the first point I raised above? Preservation - A balance against uncontrolled use of the environment in the name of progress? To your third guestion - nostalgia - As preservation of significant historic assets around the county progressed it evolved to include the built environment in addition to the natural environment (parks, etc) Public buildings and monuments of historic signifigance in particular and then buildings in urban centers. What started as preservation of individual sited evolved into protection of zones or districts. In the case of Asbury Park, the entire beachfront is recognized as a significant historic asset on the national, regional and local levels. A surviving (barely) piece of pre depression and pre-WWII american heritage. An interesting result was noticed, the economics of protected/restored areas improved. There was a direct relationship between historic preservation activites and increased economic benefits to the area. Preservation evolved from being 'a nice thing to do' (nostalgic) to being a recognized economic development tool with greater returns than the previous policies of razing everything and building anew. Keep in mind that this is a very short and basic intro for you, I recommend you do your own research, just google or wiki the following to start: History of Preservation Historic Preservation Preservation Economics Save America's Treasures National Trust for Historic Preservation Secretary of the interior Standards Historic District Zoning Werner ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> See what's inside the new Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/0It09A/bOaOAA/yQLSAA/Y2tolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
