WestConn students learn to preserve local cultural historic sites
Course in cultural resources management prepares students for careers
DANBURY, CONN. — By the time Professor Laurie Weinstein and her students finish their latest class project, chances are they will have caught the eye of state authorities — and that’s a good thing.
Weinstein, a professor of anthropology and chairperson of the Department of Social Sciences at Western Connecticut State University, is teaching a course on Cultural Resource Management this fall, and the class project is to nominate at least one site in Danbury to the state historic register.
But to do this, the students will first need to do extensive research, as well as learn about such issues as fund raising, restoration, the creation of exhibits and brochures, and more. Students also will have work with local officials in evaluating properties, and learn from guest speakers who are experts in the field of cultural resource management.
“We are going to be surveying sites that have to do with our historic past. Most of my work has been related to prehistoric archaeology, but not this time,” Weinsten says.
Once their work is done, students will submit nominations to the Historic Preservation and Museum Division of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. They also will move a step closer to achieving careers in cultural resource management, or at least develop a greater appreciation for local history.
“I hope they learn the importance of preserving the past, our identity,” Weinstein says. “We live in a throwaway society. It’s always new, new, new. We don’t want to preserve things that are old, we would rather put up a strip mall.”
The course is part of an 18-credit minor in cultural resource management developed by Weinstein. It is the only program of its kind in Connecticut leading to a bachelor’s degree. Weinstein is also collaborating with Central Connecticut State University, which is developing a master’s degree program in cultural resource management.
Six WestConn students are working toward degrees in CRM this year, a gratifying turn of events for Weinstein whose interest in archaeology, anthropology and history began as a child. Her father, Sam Weinstein, was a professor at the University of Connecticut’s dental school, where he collected skulls and other materials related to his interest in growth studies.
“I got very used to having skulls around the house,” Weinstein says with a chuckle, noting that she later helped her father collect and organize his research so it could be used by other researchers, including an aspiring forensic archaeologist Nick Bellantoni, who is now the Connecticut state archaeologist. This indoctrination later led her to pursue degrees in anthropology at The Colorado College and Southern Methodist University, where she completed her Ph.D. in 1983.
Since joining the WestConn faculty in 1990, Weinstein has developed many professional relationships with state officials, Danbury civic leaders and others involved in historic preservation. “I became interested in saving sites and in retelling the past because of my interest in native peoples. I am also very committed to conservation,” she said.
But it was conservationist Jane Goodall and her Roots & Shoots program at WestConn that gave Weinstein the idea for creating the minor in cultural resource management. Through the Roots & shoots program, the university provides opportunities for children to become engaged in service programs that benefit animals, the environment and society.
“I decided that the best that I could do was to work in my own field and to create something that will help conserve lands that will tell stories — giving people a sense of pride and identity as to who they are,” Weinstein said.
For Weinstein, the program and her classes are all tied to the effort by the City of Danbury to become recognized as a “Certified Local Government” by the National Park Service. If it achieves the status, the city will become eligible for technical assistance and funding to help it preserve its historic past. Weinstein leads a citywide committee that is seeking CLG recognition. If successful, Danbury would join 1,228 communities nationwide in the program.
Weinstein says Danbury’s old public library, located at the corner of Main Street and Library Place, is at the top of the list for preservation if CLG status is won. The elegant brick library was opened in 1879 and remained in operation until the city opened a new library in 1968. The old library now serves as the home to the Danbury Music Centre, and among its many historic features are murals created during the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration. Weinstein would like to restore the WPA murals, with more projects to follow. “Danbury has a very unique history. I know there’s a lot of historic stuff to preserve,” Weinstein said.
Note:
The public and members of the WestConn community can attend the guest lectures, but reservations are required. Call Laurie Weinstein at 203-837-8453. The lectures are held at 5:30 p.m. in the Archaeology Lab on the second floor of Warner Hall.
The dates and speakers are:
September 20 — Kathleen VonJenna, a historic archaeologist with the Town of Redding will discuss the history of Redding’s preservation plans.
October 4 — Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton will discuss historic preservation in Danbury and important events, places and people in Danbury’s past.
October 18 — Faline Fox, an archaeologist with Historical Perspectives, will discuss her Phase I research with the Gilbert and Bennett Wire Mill in Georgetown.
November 1 — Cece Saunders, an archaeologist and owner of Historical Perspectives, will discuss the Connecticut State Preserves program.
For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.
