Introduction

As a nation we bring many perspectives to our commemorative places and our ideas may change over time, especially on difficult topics like slavery and racism. Why a place is saved and how it is interpreted to visitors has much to do with our collective memory of the events that took place there.

About the Book

Using the skills of an archaeologist and a historian, Paul Shackel examines four well-known Civil War-era National Park sites and shows us how public memory shaped their creation and continues to shape their interpretation. Shackel shows us that public memory is really public memories, and interpretation may change dramatically from one generation to another as interpreters try to accommodate, or ignore, certain memories.

Why Read It

Memory in Black and White is important reading for all who are interested in history and memory of landscapes, and will be especially useful to those involved in preserving and interpreting a controversial place.

Learn More

Visit the author''s web page
Visit the UMD Heritage Program web page