Relocation is increasingly regarded as an acceptable conservation practice in New Zealand, partly because it has always been part of our history, but mainly because it deals with the problem of buildings which are in the way of "progress".  Many people seem not to understand the importance of "place", and that this is a key ingredient of cultural significance in our heritage.  So often, the significance of a building or structure relies on its qualities of representativeness and ordinariness - in that place.  The mere existence of an "outdoor museum" encourages people to proceed on the basis that relocation will solve all practical and preservation problems. 

Historically, in this country, buildings were moved from place to place for pragmatic reasons, and that is an important part of our heritage.  This is recognised in the ICOMOS New Zealand Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Heritage Value" (http://www.icomos.org.nz/).  But it is a different matter to use this technique as a primary means of preservation, except as a method of last resort.  The fact that it is technically possible to do so in a country where timber frame construction is the predominant domestic form of construction further encourages the practice (and  as architects, we've been part of this process ourselves).

It's wonderful to see the list animated again - even if only briefly.  I've been encouraged and gratified in the past by responses to technical questions, and now have spasmodic correspondence with some of our colleagues in North America (hi John).  I recall when the conversations were frequent, reflective and often jocose, but some of that seemed to be siphoned off to Bullamanka Pinheads.  I subscribed to that list too, but I think I was kicked off for lurking and not participating.  And then, after September 2001, it all seemed to fall silent?

It's important to see heritage conservation/preservation as a professional activity at an international level.  While we all should talk to colleagues in our own counties, there is so much to be gained from correspondence across national boundaries.  I hope this continues.  I've been a member of APT (APT-I ?) for about ten years, but ironically, although adopting the "international" suffix, I have a greater sense of non-inclusion than when I first joined.  I'm sure that's my own fault, but it would be a less acute paranoia if chatlists like this were more active.

-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart Kaye [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 7:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Activity on the Preservation-L list?


Yes, the activity on the list _is_ low. I am not sure whether this is because the number of subscribers is small and/or there are other ways in which preservation/conservation people are communicating.

Just to throw something out, I have been roaming around back roads for a number of years tracking down, schools, barns, churches, cemeteries and so on.

One of the things that distresses me is the tendency (at least in this
province) to move items to another location . There are quite a number of places where a bunch of transplanted buildings are "conveniently" displayed for public viewing. Sometimes, they are assembled into a "street."

Just before I ask for input, let me reveal my biases. I am becoming increasingly agitated by this process, since these streets can distort history. For example, by having two items that __never__ occurred together, or by having items from disparate historical periods.

I am slowly writing a piece about this whenever my knickers get another twist on the knot.

I would like to know if anyone would like to share their thoughts on this issue, and also point me to any writing on the subject.

Thanks,

Stuart

Dr. Stuart M. Kaye
Senior Scholar
Psychology Department                    Internet: [log in to unmask]
University of Manitoba                   Work Phone:   (204) 474-8419
Winnipeg  MB  R3T 2N2                    Fax:          (204) 474-7599
                                         Home Phone:   (204) 488-7818

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