online: www.rihumanities.org email: info@rihumanities.org phone: 401-273-2250
Rhode Island may appear as a mere speck on some maps of the United States, yet its 1200 square miles have a remarkably varied topography with a rich array of historic landscapes. High quality of landscape design is evident in its gardens, burial grounds, cemeteries, parks, parkways, campuses, farms, and golf courses. These landscapes are visually noteworthy, but they are even more compelling because of what they reveal about the people who have used them over the past 300 years. This look at human design of and designs upon the land reflects changing priorities and attitudes about shaping the natural environment.
William "Mack" Woodward is a native Texan architectural historian who has served on the staff of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission since 1976. As the Commission's Planning and Land Use Coordinator, he assists Rhode Island municipalities in integrating preservation activities into community planning, development, and revitalization. He has published several surveys of historic resources and scholarly articles, and is currently writing a book about Rhode Island landscapes.
Needs: slide projector/screen; lighted lectern/water