Introducing the Journal's Special Issue on: The Preservation of Historic ArchitecturalMonumentsAuthor(s): Turpin C. BannisterSource: The Journal of the American Society of Architectural Historians, Vol. 1, No. 3/4,Preservation of Historic Monuments (Jul. - Oct., 1941), pp. 3-4Published by: University of California Press on behalf of the Society of Architectural HistoriansStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/901098 .

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Introducing the J 0 U R N A Lts special issue on

THE PRESERVATION of HISTOIIC ARCHITECTURAL ONUMENTS.

Interest in historic buildings is not a new phenomena. Charlemagne at Ravenna, Hadrian at Athens, the Templars at the Tomb all found material foci to stimulate their imagi- nation in recreating the Golden Eras of the past. The povw- er of simple stones to evoke forgotten Glories remains one of the greatest miracles of architecture.

In our ovyn day and land, increasing consciousness of an absorbing national development has awakened in us grow- ing appreciation of our forefathorst constructions, and realization that these tangible relies deserve to be cher- ished and safeguarded. On every hand, monuments once de- spisod and forsaken have boeen transformed into cultural shrines frequented by nxing bands of pilgrims.

In fact, popular interest has embraced the historic monumeont so enthusiastically as an emotional focus that too often its true architectural value and legitimate function have been completely obscured. So virulent has the cult of the Colonial become that any pre-Revolutioniary struc- turo at all must perforce be venerated, and so necessary a part of our cultural impedimenta has the historic shrine boon established that even where it is lacking, popular craving is satisfied through wholesale fabrication.

In dedicating a double-issue of its JOUMINAL to the Prosorvation of Historic Architectural Monuments, A S A H hopes to call forth thought and discussion which may in due course resolve some of the prevailing confusion, estab- lish a basic philosophy of Preservation, set up a reaso.n- able progr-un of .action, and encourage the thorough train- ing of personmel to execute it.

It is proper for A S A H to sponsor this effort. Its membership includes professional proservationists exper- ienced in the practical problems of the field. It includes research historians who interprot and evaluate architect- ural monuments against their cultural and technical back- grounds. sbad it includes instructors who are attempting to instill in their students - who will be the next genor- ation of our citizenry - a proper approciation of the true moaning of our national heritage in architecture.

Moreover, in its local groups, A S A H will have u- nique nucloi of membors to apply any general program to their o~n specific regions. At the proper time they can undertake to foster in their ovm community appreciation of its architectural resources. They can encourage wor-

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thy local preservation projects. And they can rally when need- ed to the support of such governmental agencies as the National Park Service and the Historic

American Buildings Survey,

Needless to say, a single issue of a single periodical cannot of itself suffice. A S A H earnestly hopes that its present effort will be only the beginning, and that its JOURNAL will soon be deluged with general and technical articles in this field. It concedes to no one anywhere a more alert, sym- pathetio, and resourceful audience than its membership.

To all our present contributors - who responded so gener- ously and promptly to our call - A S A H desires to express thanks and gratitude.* They form a noble list, and without ex- ception each made an important addition to our united effort.

Turpin C. Bannister, President and Editor.

ANOOUNCEMENT of A S A H DIRECTORS

It is with great pleasure that A S A H an- nounces that the following members have con- sented to serve the Society as Directors for the terms stipulated.

To serve to the Summer Meeting of 1944:

Fiske Kimball, Director, Phila. Museum Art. Kenneth J. Conant, Harvard University.

To serve to the Summer Meeting of 1943:

Rexford Newcanb, University of Illinois. Leicester A. Holland, Library of Congress.

To serve to the Summer Meeting of 1942:

Albert Simons,archt-historian, Charleston SC John Coolidge, Princeton, New Jersey.

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