Woolworth Building

Description

According to the Bowery Boys' website, "F.W. Woolworth was the self-made king of retail's newfangled "five and dime" store and his pockets were overflowing with cash. Meanwhile, in New York, the contest to build the tallest building was underway. The two combine to create one of Manhattan's most handsome buildings, cutting a Gothic profile designed by America's hottest architect of the early century. So what does it all have to do with sneakers and gym clothes?"

Puck Building

Description

In this podcast from the Bowery Boys, Greg Young narrates the history of New York's Puck Building, built to house the offices of the turn-of-the-century periodical Puck Magazine.

Preservation Trades Network

Description

"The Preservation Trades Network (PTN) is a non-profit membership organization founded as an education, networking, and outreach organization. PTN was established on the principle that conservation of the built environment is fundamentally dependent on the quality, availability, and viability of the skilled trades. We believe that opportunities for education, employment, and compensation of people in the trades are directly reflected in the quality of the built environment, and the effective stewardship of cultural heritage."

The Temple of Invention

Description

This podcast from the Smithsonian American Art Museum details the history of the museum's building, once the U.S. Patent Office, or "Temple of Invention."

To listen to this podcast, scroll to the bullet point which reads, "Listen to our podcast about the magnificent building that houses the Smithsonian American Art Museum," and select a file type.

Preserving the Legacy of the Jefferson School

Description

Dr. Lauranett Lee of the Virginia Historical Society explores ways to use oral history and historic preservation efforts to teach history. She is currently completing a commissioned project for the city of Hopewell in which she documents African American history. She discusses the mechanics of constructing a community history project and its applicability for teachers and students. The second half of the session focused on using the cultural landscape to teach history, including a walking tour of the historic Jefferson School.

To listen to this lecture, select "Podcast" under the September 4th session.

Model City: Buildings and Projects by Paul Rudolph for Yale and New Haven

Description

According to the Library of Congress website, "In this lecture, Timothy M. Rohan from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, discusses the exhibition he curated, "Model City: Buildings and Projects by Paul Rudolph for Yale and New Haven," which draws upon works from the Paul Rudolph Archive in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress.

Paul Rudolph (1918-1997) was one of the most innovative American architects of the post-World War II period. The exhibition situates 13 works for Yale and New Haven by Rudolph in the context of postwar modernism, urban renewal, and their aftermath."

African American Life in Colonial Monticello: The Dependencies

Description

Dianne Swann-Wright, Director of African American and Special Programs at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, discusses the living quarters of slaves at Monticello, looking particularly at the dependencies in the building, which served the kitchens, and at what life would have been like there.

To view this video, select "Scholars," followed by "Dianne Swann-Wright." Choose one of the Windows Media options.

African-American Life in Colonial Monticello: Columns

Description

Dianne Swann-Wright, Director of African-American and Special Programs at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, discusses the columns at Monticello and the life of the slave, Jupiter, who carved them. She also mentions the railings, carved by a slave artisan.

To view this video, select "Scholars," followed by "Dianne Swann-Wright." From there, scroll to the feature, and choose one of the two Windows Media options.

Hoodoo Tradition in Annapolis: Thresholds

Description

Historian Mark P. Leone looks at the Annapolis home of Charles Carroll, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and to the coming-together of the lives of the Founding Fathers and their African and African American slaves that the house represents. Leone focuses on the hoodoo artifacts uncovered at thresholds in the building.

To view this video, select "Scholars," followed by "Mark P. Leone." Choose one of the two Windows Media options.