NATIONALNetwork HISTORIC? LANDMARKS Volume TV, No. 1 National Park Service, National Historic Landmark* Program Summer 2001 Alaska's prehistoric NHLs: Archeological Distant and fragile treasures survey scheduled By Becky Saleeby for Palmito Ranch battle site LASKANS LOVE TO BOAST ABOUT aged by other federal or state agencies, and By Charles Haecker the size of their state, usually with sites under private ownership, such as A the implication that bigger is bet­ Native Alaskan village corporations. Each ter. Although the size and incredible envi­ has its own set of preservation challenges. NLY FTVE CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS ronmental and cultural diversity of the One example is the increased visitation to are documented in Texas, and of state are definite advantages for Alaskans, Brooks River Archeological District, which these five, Palmito Ranch distance can be a drawback for the includes the popular bear-watching locale O Battlefield possesses the best level of National Park Service when it comes to at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park integrity. Much of the land comprising providing preservation assistance for the and Preserve. Another preservation dilem­ Palmito Ranch remains virtually state's 15 prehistoric National Historic ma is the destruction of sites by local resi­ unchanged since the mid-19th century due Landmarks. More than 1500 roadless dents digging artifacts to sell to outside art a relative lack of development caused by miles separate the Birnirk site, the NHL dealers. An extreme example of this type inhospitable topographic and climatic con­ farthest north in Barrow, from the of destruction occurred at the Gambell sites ditions. However, the area faces increasing Anangula and Chuluka sites, farthest to continues on page 7 threats to its integrity from possible subdi­ the southwest near the tip vision and development, agriculture, and of the Aleutian Islands. treasure hunting. Visiting these 15 NHLs is In view of these factors, the City of possible, in most cases, by Brownsville, Texas, in partnership with air only. Sometimes even Palo Alto Batdefield National Historic Site, airplane travel is restrict­ is sponsoring an archeological investigation ed, such as it was last sum­ of a portion of nearby Palmito Ranch mer when construction Battlefield. Defined as the battlefield core, virtually closed the airstrip this portion of the battlefield would be the in Shaktoolik, a small vil­ focus of preservation and acquisition activ­ lage on Norton Sound and ities. The project is supported through a the primary access point grant from the National Park Service to the Iyatayet NHL. Included among the 15 landmarks are Archeologists perform an excavation at Atiligauraq, continues on page 9 archeological districts managed entirely or one of several hundred known archeological sites within the Cape Krusenstern NHL in northern Grants to NHLs . page 7 in part by the NPS, sites and districts man­ Alaska. Photograph courtesy of NPS Alaska Support Office FROM THE NHL PROGRAM Modern and historic? By Elizabeth Moore Rossi HEN ONE THINKS OF NOTABLE AMERICAN worked and worshipped. Discover the current technology that pioneers, the typical image conjured is one of has influenced how we gather information and develop new W lS^-century wagons headed for the western understandings of the past. frontier via a long and dusty trail. We often forget, however, that a different breed of pioneer emerged during the early 20'1' While we have not focused purposefully on modern prop­ century—the New Pioneer of Modernism. erties in this issue, the news arising from them offers an opportunity to reflect on our changing view of history and the Much of what was once perceived as thoroughly "mod­ significance of our recent past. Our past now includes an era ern"—the ultimate in "up-to-date"—is now an element of our so revolutionary that it permanently became known as past. This was clear even during the height of the modern "Modern"—with a capital "M." As we cross the threshold of a movement, when in 1936 author Ellen Glasgow noted, "No new century, we are driven to question the influences of the idea is so antiquated that it was not once modern. No idea is "modern" and pause to wonder what significant traces our so modern that it will not someday be antiquated." own times will leave behind. Recent National Historic Landmark theme studies have After all, it is unlikely that Ellen Glasgow ever expected focused on the affairs that defined modern times—architectur­ that her Richmond, Va. home would become a National al Modernism and equality among them—and many recent Historic Landmark. NHL nominations have delivered these and other aspects of modern life to the forefront of our historical consciousness. In Elizabeth Moore Rossi is an architectural historian with NPS Technical this issue, learn how Modernist philosophies shaped how Preservation Services and coordinates National Historic Landmarks Americans lived in their homes and modified the places they Network for the National Historic Landmarks Assistance Initiative. NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS NETWORK MISSION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE The National Park Service is dedicated to Published by the National Park Service conserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources Denis Galvin of the National Park System Acting Director for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this Kathcrine H. Stevenson Associate Director, Cultural Resource Stewardship and Partnerships and future generations. John Robbins The Service is also responsible for managing Manager, National Center for Cultural Resources a great variety of national and international programs Frank J.J. Micle designed to help extend the benefits of Editor Senior Historian, Southeast Regional Office natural and cultural resource conservation and Elizabeth Moore Rossi outdoor recreation NHL Network Coordinator throughout this country and the world. National Historic Landmarks Network is published biannually by the National Historic Landmarks Assistance Initiative, Technical Preservation Services Branch of the National Center for Cultural Resources and is free of charge. Articles may be submitted to Frank J.J. Miele, NPS Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta Federal Center—1924 Building, 100 Alabama Street, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Telephone (404) 562-3171. E-mail <[email protected]>. 1 S-T-EWA R D S H-I-P N EW-S MASSACHUSETTS wooden shipbuilding skills. Dedicated NEBRASKA volunteers ensured that the Luna would Tugboat Luna survive to be rehabilitated. When the Luna Restoration projects returns to Boston in 2001, she will be arrives at shipyard Boston's only historic commercial vessel at planned for for rehabilitation the Charleston Navy Yard of Boston Nebraska State National Historical Park, near the USS By Brent Dibner Constitution, a ship she annually escorted Capitol and Cather's from 1930 until the 1960s. The Luna was a highly innovative tug home HE TUGBOAT LUNA, A NATIONAL when delivered in 1930, powered by two By Rebecca Kumar Historic Landmark, was success­ Winton diesel engines and a General fully towed in October 2000 from T Electric direct current power plant consist­ Boston to Boothbay Harbor, Maine, to ing of dual generators and exciters and a ESIGNED BY THE RENOWNED NEW undergo major rehabilitation of its wooden single electric motor of 650 horsepower York architect Bertram Goodhue, hull at Samples Shipyard. The Luna, built that weighs 20 tons. This system provided Dthe Nebraska State Capitol is cur­ in 1930 by M.M. Davis of Solomon's unprecedented power and control. She is a rently undergoing a five-phase, eight-year Island, Md., was the world's first diesel- Historic Naval Ship as a result of her project to restore the exterior masonry of electric tug to provide commercial harbor World War II service in Boston Harbor the building. The year 2007 is the antici­ service. Designed by famed naval architect under requisition by the War Shipping pated completion date. The project's scope John Alden, she served in Boston Harbor Administration. When restored, the Luna of work evolved from a 1995 investigation for more than 40 years, from 1930 until will be painted with the traditional white of the capitol's exterior envelope. retirement in 1971. After 24 years of grad­ hull and varnished deckhouse of the Goodhue's skyscraper design was the ual deterioration, the 100-foot-long tug was Boston Tow Boat Company, which dates to first to be proposed for a state capitol in rescued from the wrecking ball in 1995 1857 and operated until its sale in 1985. the United States. His concepts employed a by the Luna Preservation Society and its The Luna was built with external variety of eclectic stylistic features that con­ condition was stabilized by volunteers. For planking and double-sawn white frames of tinue to stand the test of time, making the the past five years, the tug has been afloat white oak and yellow pine for internal Nebraska State Capitol the unique, beauti­ with its hull wrapped in tightly fitting planking. The scope of work will include ful building it is today. Goodhue's design, Sarnafil roofing material. The Luna is the replacement of upper frames and external however, included some major technical last full-sized wood-hulled tugboat on the planking, rebuilding the sheer planking, flaws. Atlantic and Gulf coasts—a region once bulwarks and guard rails, and replacement The tenacious bond of portland cement served by thousands of wooden tugs. of damaged stem frame and stem apron mortars between brick back-ups and The Luna will undergo a $750,000 over­ sections. Timbers in the Luna range in Indiana limestone veneer, coupled with haul with funds provided by the federal sizes up to 12 inches square, making her inadequate stress relief of the masonry wall TEA-21 program, the Commonwealth of one of the sturdiest wooden vessels to sur­ system, have caused masonry elements to Massachusetts Historical Commission and vive on the Atlantic coast.