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Interpretation of John Muir Through Cultural

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GOING TO THE MOUNTAIN IS GOING HOME: INTERPRETATION OF JOHN MUIR THROUGH CULTURAL LANDSCAPES AT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AND JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE by KATIE MCALPIN (Under the Direction of ERIC MACDONALD) ABSTRACT John Muir was a naturalist, writer, explorer, and early national parks advocate. Although known as a man of the mountains, John Muir also was a shrewd businessman, dependant on expansion of urban fruit markets to feed his family and fund his conservation advocacy. This thesis presents a model of interpretation of John Muir’s life and legacy via cultural landscapes. The scope of the study concerns the two sites most directly connected with Muir: Yosemite National Park and the John Muir National Historic Site. Archival research, site visits, and interviews conclude with recommendations and a feasibility analysis. INDEX WORDS: John Muir, National Park Service, Conservation, Cultural Landscape, Restoration, Rehabilitation, Interpretation, Authenticity GOING TO THE MOUNTAIN IS GOING HOME: INTERPRETATION OF JOHN MUIR THROUGH CULTURAL LANDSCAPES AT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AND JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE by KATHERINE MARTIN MCALPIN B.A., UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, 2007 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION ATHENS, GEORGIA 2011 © 2011 Katherine Martin McAlpin All Rights Reserved GOING TO THE MOUNTAIN IS GOING HOME: INTERPRETATION OF JOHN MUIR THROUGH CULTURAL LANDSCAPES AT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK AND JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE by KATHERINE MARTIN MCALPIN Major Professor: Eric MacDonald Committee: Wayde Brown James Cothran Georgia Harrison Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia May 2011 DEDICATION To my dad, for the opportunity. To my mom, for the passion. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis was two years in the making, and many individuals were key in the formation of my argument and completion of this paper. First of all, thank you to my father, Philip Morgan McAlpin, who had faith in my ability to choose a suitable career field and follow my passions. I appreciate how hard you worked in your life to get Morgan, Ellie, and I to this point in our lives. Second, thanks to my mother, Lea McAlpin, for her big heart and passionate outlook on the world. Her artistic soul has had a big influence on my life, and I love her dearly for it. Academically, many thanks are in order. Thanks to Wayde Brown, for taking me on as a research assistant for my first year and breaking me in with work on the Historic American Building Survey: my first true introduction to National Park Service cultural resource management. James Cothran, you introduced me to the world of historic landscape preservation, and gave me the freedom to choose John Muir to write my final paper on, which served as the backbone of this study. I appreciate and look up to your passion for historic landscapes. And finally, to Eric MacDonald. Your knowledge and professionalism in the field of cultural landscape preservation is truly inspiring. Whether tramping through the Oconee National Forest on the way to a forgotten mill or participating in the Stratford Hall Cultural Landscape Symposium, you have opened my eyes to the world of and opportunities in this burgeoning field. Also, I am deeply grateful for your guidance and ideas during the advising process. Thank you. A special thanks to Georgia Harrison, whose position on my committee makes it complete. National Park Service employees who were interviewed gave substance to my recommendation chapter. Thank you to: Tom Leatherman superintendent of JOMU, Martha Lee, past superintendent, Dean Shenk and Margaret Eissler, rangers at Yosemite National Park, and v especially Keith Park, JOMU horticulturist, for your participation and ideas. Special help also came from Laura Patten, Brenna Lissoway, and Isabel Zeigler, archives employees at the National Park sites. Sheldon, thank you for your constant optimism and complete faith in my abilities. I love you. Finally, Thanks to the wonderful John Muir! I learned the true value of hard work and dedication through study of your life. Thank you for showing me the regenerative power of nature. “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................................ix CHAPTER 1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................1 Methods...................................................................................................................................4 Summary of Research Findings.........................................................................................5 2 John Muir’s life .............................................................................................................................7 Childhood ................................................................................................................................7 University of Wisconsin and the Wilderness...............................................................10 California ...............................................................................................................................13 Yosemite as Home...............................................................................................................18 Mountaineer and Writer...................................................................................................22 Marriage and Ranch Life...................................................................................................24 Advocate for Wilderness Preservation ..........................................................................28 3 Current Interpretation at Yosemite National Park and John Muir National Historic Site .................................................................................................................................................34 Interpretation of Muir at Yosemite National Park.....................................................36 Traditional Modes of Interpretation at Yosemite National Park ...........................38 Interpretation in the Landscape at Yosemite National Park....................................39 The Sierra Club’s Contribution.......................................................................................44 The Theatre of Muir ..........................................................................................................47 vii Interpretation at John Muir National Historic Site....................................................49 A Victorian Agricultural Landscape...............................................................................59 Mount Wanda and the Strentzel-Muir Cemetery: The other side of JOMU.......66 4 Where Interpretation is Lacking ...........................................................................................72 Yosemite National Park.....................................................................................................73 Journey into the Wilderness.............................................................................................77 John Muir National Historic Site ....................................................................................79 A Fruitful Legacy................................................................................................................83 Circulation and Vistas........................................................................................................87 Partnerships..........................................................................................................................88 5 Recommendations......................................................................................................................90 Yosemite National Park Management and Implementation....................................90 Recommendations for Yosemite National Park...........................................................93 John Muir National Historic Site: Fortunate Timing................................................97 The Historians’ Perspective............................................................................................102 Reinforcement of Recommendations for JOMU........................................................105 Critiques of Recommendations for JOMU..................................................................106 Additional Recommendations for John Muir National Historic Site ...................107 Partnerships........................................................................................................................109 6 Feasibility and Constraints....................................................................................................110 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................113 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................115
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