National Register Bulletin 38 (Traditional Cultural Properties), published in 1990, states that “Properties and their intangible attributes of significance must be considered together.” Leland, Michigan’s historic Fishtown—an increasingly threatened working waterfront—recently was listed as traditional cultural property on the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination addresses tangible and intangible cultural resources, includes the voice of fishers expressed in oral histories, and highlights the continuity commercial fishing since the 1860s. Fishtown offers an evolving model of the collaboration of fishers, folklorists, and preservationists. The presentation will discuss the process of listing Fishtown and why it is significant.
Part of 01-13 Public Folklore, Historic Preservation, and Heritage Studies, Thursday, October 13, 8:30 am–10:00 am