America's Most Endangered focuses attention on The National Trust for Historic Preservation's quest to save and preserve places of historical significance from neglect, decay, and ruin. Each year The National Trust issues a list of historical sites that are in danger. By drawing attention to the plight of these historic landmarks, The National Trust seeks to raise the awareness of the danger to monuments of America's past. The 1998 list includes some well-known landmarks such as Chancellorsville Civil War Battlefield, as well as some lesser-known, local historical landmarks. The History Channel joins the National Trust for Historic Preservation's efforts to help preserve and celebrate the physical and spiritual symbols of America's past. America's Most Endangered would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture, Civics, and Local History. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

America's Most Endangered, 1998

Vocabulary

• diverse
• daunting
• artifacts
• prospector
• empower
• substandard
• curator
• mandate
• adverse
• coalesce
• theorize
• affiliation
• alcove
• restoration

Discussion Questions

1. What are the goals and aims of The National Trust for Historic Preservation?
2. The National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks to preserve symbols and places of historical significance. Why is it so important to preserve these places? What purpose do these places serve in our lives today?
3. Some of the places listed by The National Trust are of local significance. What do these landmarks have to do with the larger story of American History? Should local landmarks be treated with the same care and reverence as national landmarks?
4. America is filled with monuments and memorials to the people and events that shaped American history. Why do people built monuments? What is their significance?
5. Mesa Verde National Park is home to thousands of archeological sites. Why is the park unable to preserve and protect these sites? What is the ultimate goal of Mesa Verde Park for its sites?
6. In 1996 fire consumed thousands of acres of Mesa Verde National Park. How do the results of this fire threaten the archeological sites?
7. Discuss the role of suburban sprawl in the threat to historical sites such as the Chancellorsville Civil War Battlefield.
8. Gambling was introduced in Black Hawk/Central City to help raise funds to preserve the city. Discuss how gambling has posed an even greater threat to the area than it sought to remedy.
9. The Mapes Hotel is an abandoned casino in Las Vegas, where there are hundreds of casinos. Yet this casino is special. What is the special significance of this casino? What is its role in American history, especially cultural history?
10. Discuss the significance of courthouses in American history and local history and culture.

Extended Activities

1. Write an essay discussing a local historical site that you think should be preserved. What is the significance of this site to your community?
2. Create a poster for The National Trust for Historical Preservation's campaign to save and preserve historic landmarks. Choose one of the landmarks discussed in the video. How would you portray the importance of that landmark in your poster? Perhaps the posters you and your classmates create could be displayed at a place such as your local public library to help the Trust in their efforts to raise the awareness of the dangers faced by these landmarks.
3. Devise a plan aimed at preserving the sites mentioned in the video. How can you and your classmates raise money and awareness for these projects? How can you get your local and/or national government officials involved? How can you make your voices and concerns heard?