Freedom Tower, Miami
By Kevin Clarkston
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne has recently designated 16 sites in 11 states as new National Historic Landmarks. The designation means the sites have been recognized for possessing an exceptional value or quality in displaying the heritage of the United States.
One these newly christened historic sites, the Municipal Auditorium, located in Shreveport, LA, contains a rich musical history, specifically in rock n’ roll. The auditorium, which was the site of the famous Louisiana Hayride, was also the place where Elvis Presley played as a young rising star. Shreveport Councilman Michael Long was quoted as saying:
“It’s a wonderful designation that, hopefully, will allow us to go out and find grant money and other additional funding to do the things we need to do to make that a functional place.”
Other new historic sites mentioned in the Department of the Interior’s news release include:
- The Aaron Copeland House In Cortlandt Manor, NY, where the musician wrote his memoirs, composed major works such as ballet, chamber, orchestral and piano music, and lived from 1960 until his death in 1990.
- The Forty Acres in Delano, Calif., which acted as headquarters for the United Farmworkers of America, the first permanent labor union in the U.S.
- Lyceum in the Circle of Historic District of Oxford, Miss., where racial tensions and riots happened due to the efforts James Meredith to transfer from a historically black college to the all-white University of Mississippi.
- Camp Uncas, located in Mohegan Lake, NY; widely recognized as the shining example of Adirondack camp architecture and designed by William West Durant, the camp had a massive influence on the design of rustic structures built for 20th century national and state park systems.
- Freedom Tower, Miami, FL; Offered assistance to many Cuban Americans who immigrated as political exiles to South Florida during the 1960s and 70s after Fidel Castro came to power in 1959.
Being declared a National Historic Landmark is no small feat. Fewer than 2,500 historic places are designated as national landmarks, and sites nominated by the National Park Service staff must be reviewed by the National Park System Advisory Board, which then makes recommendations to the Secretary of Interior for sites to designated. When a property is labeled a National Historic Landmark it is automatically place in the National Register of Historic places, if it is not already listed there.
Secretary Kempthorne expressed his satisfaction with these new additions to U.S. heritage history by saying:
“I am proud to be able to designate these sites as National Historic Landmarks. They are part of the historic and cultural fabric of our country. They have helped make us who we are as a nation and I hope they will continue to educate and inspire Americans for generations to come.”
Related Links:
Montana Archeology: The Rosebud Battlefield Site
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum-Podcasts
Shenandoah National Park-Driving Skyline Drive
Featured photo by Senor Adventure on Flickr
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