From: Trent Margrif <Trent_Margrif@nthp.org> Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:20:51 -0400 Subject: Cultural Landscapes in Wisconsin and Door County Message-ID: <1BB68F6D411C33499A67A9FAA2D889BE2AA9602883@NTEMAIL.nthp.org>
Door County's Residents and Officials Face a Rapidly Changing Cultural Land
scape
EPHRAIM, WI (August 14, 2008) - The Francis Hardy Center for the Arts, a no
n-profit arts organization in Ephraim, WI, today announced that they are or
ganizing a panel discussion scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008. The even
t will take place at the Francis Hardy Gallery in downtown Ephraim at 4pm a
nd will feature keynote speaker Prof. Arnold R. Alanen from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, who will give an illustrated presentation, "Cultural
Landscapes in Wisconsin and Door County." In addition, leading experts in t
he fields of land use planning, historic landscape preservation, agricultur
e and Door County itself will join Alanen to celebrate and discuss the futu
re of Door County's dwindling rural landscape.
"We are privileged to have one of the country's leading experts as
the keynote for the event," said Elizabeth Meissner, interim executive dire
ctor. "The p anel will bring valuable knowledge and expertise on the subjec
t, helping visitors and residents alike understand what cultural landscapes
are, their value and most importantly, encourage individuals to take an ac
tive role in the preservation of these landscapes," she added.
The discussion is a program coordinated in conjunction with the FHCA's newe
st exhibit, "The Glories of the Door County Rural Landscape," opening on Se
pt. 6. The exhibit will take viewers on an engaging and thought-provoking v
isual journey to explore Door County's rural landscapes through the eyes of
fine art photographer Paul Lurie.
Lurie is a seasonal Door County resident who has, time and time aga
in, been inspired by the pristine Door County landscape since first visitin
g the peninsula in the 1970s. He has extensively documented the importance
of old farm buildings to the cultural landscape of Door County. His simple,
stunning photographs and unique persp ective provide an ideal platform wit
h which to promote awareness - along with preservation - of cultural landsc
apes.
"Collectively, Wisconsin - and Door County specifically - have some
of the most distinctive and notable examples of cultural landscapes in the
American Midwest," notes Alanen. Door County's historic cultural landsc
apes have been threatened for many years, but the impacts and pace of chang
e are ever more visible today. Many farms are no longer productive. Outdat
ed farm buildings are either torn down or allowed to deteriorate because th
e economics of maintenance cannot justify repair.
The panel discussion will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 4pm in
the Francis Hardy Gallery, located on the historic Anderson Dock in Ephrai
m, WI; the formal opening reception for "The Glories of the Door County Rur
al Landscape" exhibit will follow. The exhibit has been supported by Atto
rney Collin J. Dahl of Sister Bay and in part by a grant from the Wisconsin
Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowme
nt for the Arts. The exhibit will run from Sept. 6 to October 13, 2008. For
more information about this event call (920) 854-2210 or send e-mail to in
fo@thehardy.org<mailto:info@thehardy.org>.
The Francis Hardy Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit organization whos
e mission is to promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of the ar
ts through education and outreach programs, events, and exhibits.
Panelist Information:
Dr. Arnold R. Alanen is a professor in the Department of Landscape Architec
ture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has taught landscape
history, cultural landscape studies, and historic preservation for 34 years
. He has written extensively about the cultural landscapes and settlements
of Wisconsin and the Midwest, and serves as Wisconsin's coordinator for th
e Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS), a program that seeks to docume
nt important landscapes throughout the United States. Among his books are "
Preserving Cultural Landscapes in America"; and "Morgan Park: Duluth, U.S.
Steel, and the Forging of a Company Town." The Council of Educators nominat
ed him to its Academy of Fellows in 2007, and designated him Educator of th
e Year in 2001. Dr. Alanen has also served as a cultural landscape advisor
to the National Park Service on sites that range from Michiga n to Alaska.
Hugh Mulliken, Door County Board Supervisor
MaraLee Olson is a registered landscape architect, and Project Manager for
Ziegler Design Associates located in Middleton, Wisconsin. MaraLee has exte
nsive experience in land use planning, community design and participatory d
esign, and she has been involved with projects ranging from individual resi
dences to rural landscape preservation to urban neighborhood renewal. Ms Ol
son has managed a variety of community-based projects including: Johnstown,
Pennsylvania, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fitchburg Fields Master Pla
n-Fitchburg, Wisconsin and the award-winning Troy Gardens Master Plan-Madis
on, Wisconsin.
Dean Volenberg, Door County Extension Agriculture Agent