UNESCO World Heritage Sites in USA we might see
We're planning a run to see our great nation's capital, historic sites, and family in a short jaunt before Europe.
(I finally booked the flights last night to Europe! March 20th we leave- returning July 28th! Who-hoooo!-
Part IV Europe blog of our trip will be here: http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/47659
Here are some UNESCO sites we may get to see in a few weeks, headed East:
Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville
| United States of America |
Brief Description
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), author of the American Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States, was also a talented architect of neoclassical buildings. He designed Monticello (1769-1809), his plantation home, and his ideal 'academical village' (1817-26), which is still the heart of the University of Virginia. Jefferson's use of an architectural vocabulary based upon classical antiquity symbolizes both the aspirations of the new American republic as the inheritor of European tradition and the cultural experimentation that could be expected as the country matured.
Independence Hall
| United States of America Date of Inscription: 1979 Criteria: (vi) Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania N39 56 55 W75 09 00 Ref: 78 |
The Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution of the United States (1787) were both signed in this building in Philadelphia. The universal principles of freedom and democracy set forth in these documents are of fundamental importance to American history and have also had a profound impact on law-makers around the world.
Mammoth Cave National Park
| United States of America Date of Inscription: 1981 Criteria: (vii)(viii)(x) Property : 21191 ha Counties of Barren, Edmonson, and Hart in the State of Kentucky N37 11 14 W86 06 11 Ref: 150 |
Brief Description
Mammoth Cave National Park, located in the state of Kentucky, has the world's largest network of natural caves and underground passageways, which are characteristic examples of limestone formations. The park and its underground network of more than 560 surveyed km of passageways are home to a varied flora and fauna, including a number of endangered species.
Mount Vernon (Tentative UNESCO site 2008)
Description
The property consists of a core of 16 surviving 18th-century structures situated within a cultural landscape of associated gardens, fences, lanes, walkways, and other features, situated along the Potomac River. The historic core of the property is contained within an area that is roughly 20 hectares in size. The surviving 18th-century structures consist of the Mansion, kitchen, servants' hall, gardener's house, a salt house, spinning house, store house, smoke house, wash house, stable, ice house, the original tomb, and four garden buildings (two necessaries and two seed houses).
Justification for Outstanding Universal Value
Justification of Outstanding Universal Value
George Washington's home and the associated gardens and grounds together form a remarkably well-preserved example of an evolved cultural landscape of the 18th-century American south, based on English models, that is unique in the extent of its documentation. The estate formed the core of an extensive plantation operation that included hundreds of enslaved workers. The combination of surviving structures and landscape features, archaeological data, and archival evidence make Mount Vernon arguably the best documented and most completely preserved example of this important period in landscape design.
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity
As a result of its association with George Washington, the leading General of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and first President of the United States of America, which led to early efforts to protect it, the property is remarkably well preserved. As it has been restored over a long period of time, however, some aspects of the landscape reflect Colonial Revival style as well as the authentic original features.
Comparison with other similar properties
Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts, Lunenburg Old Town and the Historic Area of Quebec in Canada, and Monticello and the University of Virginia in the United States have been inscribed as World Heritage sites reflecting the nature and the impact of British colonization. Of these, only Monticello relates to the plantation form, but is focused on Jefferson's unique architectural vision. Before preparing a nomination for this property, it will be necessary to examine in more depth and detail the comparable documentation and features of other 18th-century American plantations - such as Hampton and Sotterly in Maryland, and Stratford Hall, Carter's Grove, and Sully in Virginia.
