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Built in America: Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record, 1933-Present |
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In a hurry? Save or print these Collection Connections as a single file. Go directly to the collections, Built in America: Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record, 1933-Present, in American Memory, or view a Summary of Resources related to the collections. The materials available in Built in America: The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) 1933-Present, provide an opportunity to develop critical thinking and creative writing skills. Descriptions and images of various buildings and structures in these collections provide the basis for research projects. Meanwhile, historic homes can serve as the catalyst for creative writing exercises and a discussion regarding the homes of authors such as Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and Poe.
Research ProjectMany of the materials in these collections provide examples of how to document the historical significance of a building or structure. Select a local building such as a school, church, retail center, or private residence and research its history. Resources might include personal interviews, newspaper clippings, or public records that are available for review through local government agencies. Document the historical significance of the building through the use of photographs, written descriptions, and any other suitable methods. The following questions provide a starting point.
Creative Writing
Use the elements of your play or narrative to explore the role of place in shaping the lives of the people who lived there and the events that took place in it. Also consider how the place reflects a certain historical era. Keep the following questions in mind:
Architectural ReviewBrowse the Subject Index and select a type of building, such as a church, hospital, or gas station. Compare the different examples of each type of building as they were constructed in different parts of the United States. Write an essay discussing the architectural consistencies and discrepancies in these various buildings and locations. Determine the specific elements that seem to define a community building.
Author Homes
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Last updated 09/26/2002 |