Author Description

America Restored tells America's whole preservation story through stunning contemporary photographs and captivating historic views of 102 sites, two in every state and the District of Columbia. Through the eye of a single photographer, a wide-ranging array of glorious restorations are captured in color, from houses to covered bridges, to ships and theaters, and even an enormous piece of earth-moving equipment. An informative introduction explains why these and so many other sites and places have been restored and discusses the forces that have contributed to recent American preservation. Here are represented recognizable and grand spaces, such as Ellis Island in New York Harbor and the Chicago Theater, as well as small and intimate places, such as the Dowse Sod House in Nebraska and Saint Philomena Church in Hawaii. And more than beautiful pictures are captured: Each site has a special story to tell. Grand schemes led to the creation of Cleveholm Castle in Colorado, while an especially creative solution to a space problem helped to establish the Custer County Art Center in Montana. One woman's determined and sturdy dedication brought about the Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky which continues to serve mountain women in need. These and many other stories provide a moving and informative text that captures the human drama surrounding the restoration of these landmarks some for a new use and others so they might continue as before. Highsmith and Landphair have documented the incredible groundswell of preservation that has taken place in the United States over the past few years, and their work attests to our national spirit and the increasing recognition by all Americans of the need for a sense of place.