Friday, June 15, 2012

Venice, Florida

History Under Foot:  Plazas as well as sidewalks provide opportunities to help the public visualize their place in the world: in this case, the world of urban planning.  The map used to lay out Venice in the 1920s has become a permanent part of the city's narrative, thanks to the power of one medallion.  [2009]

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Sydney, New South Wales

History Under Foot:  To Australians, wool was the golden fleece.  The market was in England, but the trade was localized here on Sydney's Macquarie Street.  The sidewalk medallion makes it possible to turn back the pages of history in the context of a real place.  And, it occupies no space at all.  [2006]

Monday, June 11, 2012

Denver, Colorado

History Under Foot:  On pavements, historical markers can take the form of medallions and be just as effective as roadside placards.  The first traffic signal with a pedestrian walk component was installed (a) 30, (b) 60, (c) 90 years ago.  Just read what's under foot in Denver to find out.  Why waste any open space?  [2005]

Friday, June 8, 2012

Washington, DC

Federal Triangle Heritage Trail:  Here is the verso of the marker at Stop 11 in front of the Old Post Office Building, the former seat of the Post Office Department.  This side carries a map showing Heritage Trail markers and an iconic photograph right out of the archives.  [2012]

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Washington, DC

Federal Triangle Heritage Trail:  While you are waiting in line to get into the National Archives, you can catch a glimpse of the Archives being built.  It's just too bad the crowds aren't lining up at the historical marker.  They are virtually all looking down at their iphones (which is where the markers of the future will be).  [2012]

Monday, June 4, 2012

Washington, DC

Federal Triangle Heritage Trail:  A string of 16 two-sided, free-standing placards presents the history of DC's Federal Triangle.  Stop 3 puts you in eye-shot of the FBI and introduces you to J. Edgar Hoover.  The theme of all these markers is landscape change.  [2012]

Friday, June 1, 2012

Purcellville, Virginia

Here, Near, and Far:  So, the roots of air travel are really in Virginia.  Take that North Carolina and Ohio!  But, this marker should be in Hillsboro not six miles away.  Wright?  [2006]