Monuments of Diverse Heritage in Early America

placemaking and Preservation by Black, Indigenous, and Jewish Peoples

Stiefel, Barry L.

Monuments of Diverse Heritage in Early America: Placemaking and Preservation by Black, Indigenous, and Jewish Peoples explores a more inclusive history of preserving public historic sites. At a time when some Americans have embraced white nationalism in response to unfolding demographic changes and others celebrate individual identities over all else, an inclusive, tolerant, and unifying historical vision is sorely needed. While past preservation efforts sometimes resulted in exclusionary forms of historical inspiration, that need not be the case in the future. Bringing greater attention to the diverse heritage of the United States will not only help dismantle the lingering remnants of exclusionary and elitist narratives but also celebrate a pluralistic and diverse past and present. An inclusive, empowering history can provide social cohesion while allowing room for individual groups to have authority over their pasts and representation in public, side-by-side with one another.