History offers us many remarkable landmarks and wonders from past civilizations that deserve protection as historic sites. These amazing historical places are found all around us, offering glimpses into past cultures. These unique spots often receive protection and preservation as historical landmarks.
Cultural and historical sites play a pivotal role in their local economies as economic engines. Not only are they attractive tourist draws, but cultural heritage sites provide jobs to historians, civil engineers, tour guides and hotel staff as well.
The National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of significant districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects from American history, archaeology, architecture engineering culture that are administered by the National Park Service. Properties listed receive some protection from federally funded projects as well as potential tax credits; however it does not restrict private owners who may sell or alter their property without restriction or penalty.
Nominating an historic place requires meeting four criteria defining a historic site: integrity, association, setting, and context. An historic property can be nominated by either its owner, preservation society or another organization – the nomination process involves extensive research on each property nominated and can often take years of effort before becoming listed on the Register.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an extraordinary historical place that stands as an incredible testament to human achievement through architecture and has also become iconic due to an architectural miscalculation. Situated on Pisa’s Cathedral Square – commonly referred to as “Piazza dei Miracoli,” or literally, “Square of Miracles”, and has since been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its global renown makes this historical structure all the more revered.
The three main structures in a square, the Baptistery, Cathedral and Camposanto Cemetery all hold spiritual meaning: they symbolize birth, life and death respectively.
The tower stands eight stories high and is encased by 207 marble arches. Berta of Bernado provided 60 gold coins as funding, with construction beginning on August 21, 1173.
The Great Sphinx of Giza
The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the only seven remaining ancient wonders to survive from Ancient World and is estimated to be over 4,500 years old. There have been various interpretations as to its meaning and what it could symbolize.
Horus, but could have originated as either an animal representing Anubis.
At some point after the end of the Old Kingdom, Giza Necropolis became neglected. New Kingdom Pharaoh Thutmose IV later restored it and placed a Dream Stele between its front paws.
This inscription dates back to 166 CE, serving as evidence of Roman restoration work. A later discovery revealed a secret passage which runs between the masonry veneer and core body, showing its existence.
Trinity Church
Trinity Church stands as one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, standing as it does at Broadway and Wall Street in Manhattan’s Financial District. Trinity is famed for being home to Alexander Hamilton’s gravesite as well as being used by prominent historical Americans such as Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Roosevelt and Roosevelt Jr. to meet.
Church was established in 1696 with a grant of land from Royal Governor Benjamin Fletcher that covered modern-day Fulton Street north to Christopher Street, Greenwich Street east to Broadway and Hudson River at its northern tip. As it grew popular Anne, Queen of Great Britain increased the 215-acre grant and included St Paul’s Chapel as a space where regular people could worship while society’s upper classes attended services at Trinity.
Lower East Side Tenement Museum
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is an historic building that showcases stories of immigrant and migrant experiences in America, in order to promote tolerance and historical perspective as well as encourage public dialogue about contemporary issues.
The Museum offers tours of two historic tenements at 97 and 103 Orchard Street that show how immigrants lived during earlier decades. Take a guided tour and gain more insight into these buildings’ histories! Additionally, neighborhood walking tours and apartment tours may also be offered by the Museum.
Over time, museum staff have discovered all sorts of tiny treasures hidden away beneath floorboards or in other hidden corners – hairpins, bits of newspaper and even an unmummified bagel! Additionally, the walls of this tenement reveal layers upon layers of history with various wallpaper patterns and paint colors peeking through.
