Cooper-Molera Adobe threatened with Closure by California Budget Woes

The Cooper-Molera Adobe, a National Trust Historic Site in Monterey, California, is threatened with closure by the budget woes facing the State of California.    The deadline to adopt a budget passed yesterday without any resolution so negotiations are fierce and decisions typically fall on party lines (this is typical for the California legislature).  Here’s the latest news:

1. Most California State Parks will close for two years if the budget proposed by the governor is approved. You can find the entire list at www.calparks.org/takeaction
2. The Cooper-Molera Adobe is among the “parks” that would close. Although owned by NTHP, it is operated by California State Parks (most NT Historic Sites are owned by NTHP but operated by other non-profit organizations). NTHP has no staff at that location.
3. The legislature has proposed an additional fee on vehicle registrations that would be dedicated to State Parks which has been promoted as a longterm solution, but this effort recently failed. State Parks is among many major programs affected by the budget shortfall, so it is uncertain which will survive the budget negotiations. For the latest, go to www.savestateparks.org.

Is Your Historic Site in a Great Town?

Historic sites often make a community a great place to live and work but often no one knows about your contributions. But here’s a great opportunity: nominate your town as one of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations in 2010, and if selected, you’ll bring national attention to your community.

The Dozen Distinctive Destinations program recognizes unique cities and towns across America that are working to preserve their historic character, promote heritage tourism, enhance their community and encourage others to enjoy all they have to offer. Every year since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has selected 12 destinations that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, diverse cultural activities, attractive architecture and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization. So far, National Trust Historic Sites benefiting from this program include:

Montpelier’s Mystery Fence

Montpelier's Mystery Fence is filled with enigmatic symbols.

At James Madison’s Montpelier, a National Trust Historic Site in Virginia, there’s an unusual wooden fence that often goes unnoticed.  It runs along a road near the Temple that connects the mansion with the historic horse barns and stables in the valley to the north.  I’ve often admired it because its posts and rails create a varied pattern and assumed it was just a picturesque and rustic element in the landscape.

I was recently walking along the fence with Dr. Matthew Reeves, Montpelier’s archaeologist, and told him how much I enjoyed the charming design of the fence when he said it wasn’t just a design, but a message.  He claimed that Marion Dupont Scott, the last private owner of Montpelier, had the fence constructed with a hidden message.  Of course, I was intrigued, but Matt didn’t know what the message was–it was kept as a mystery by the Scott’s groundskeeper, who had recently retired.

Perhaps you can figure out what it means and decipher the symbol, but don’t ask me for the answer (but do give us all a hint so we can solve it, too!).

Montpelier mystery fence.

Montpelier’s Mystery Fence (detail)

Montpelier’s Mystery Fence (detail)

Montpelier’s Mystery Fence (detail)

Montpelier’s Mystery Fence is filled with undeciperable symbols.

NTHS Will Be Major Contributors to AASLH Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the American Association for State and Local History is coming to Indianapolis on August 26-29, and National Trust Historic Sites will be coming as well in record numbers.  I’ll be moderating the “Measuring Success at Historic Sites” session on Thursday, August 27 at 8:15 am but other sessions will include presentations by Barbara Campagna, FAIA, LEED AP (NTHP), Jim Kern (Brucemore), Sandra Smith (Villa Finale), Craig Tuminaro (Drayton Hall), and David Young (Cliveden). Jim Vaughan (NTHP) and Frank Milligan (Lincoln’s Cottage) will also be attending, so that’s a record of eight people (and I have a suspicion that others from the Sites will be there as well).

The AALSH annual meeting is one of the largest gatherings for people who

Montpelier Provides Model Archaeology Interpretation

Foggy morning preparations for archaeology at Montpelier.

Visitors love watching an archaeological dig underway–it’s the fun of interpreting of mysterious fragments and the possible discovery of treasure.  At National Trust Historic Sites, it’s also an important method of research to better understand the past history of a Site, and explaining the process and results from this pain-staking work is also part of the interpretation.

A recent visit to James Madison’s Montpelier, a National Trust Historic Site, uncovered (ha, ha!) a myriad of clever ways to interpret the process and value of archaeology.  They use many different methodologies and they’re best understood through a personal visit, but here’s a quick list: