Heritage is a story of crisis and profound change in public perception, and one of hope and regeneration, encompassing millions of people, organisations, and politicians. It includes cathedrals, castles, villages, landscapes, cultural and commercial labels, and tangible and intangible elements. James Stourton explores two heroic periods of conservation and considers whether threats of wealth, rampant development, and complacency are similar in the present day.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Heritage is a term that encompasses a wide range of cultural and natural elements that have been deliberately preserved for future generations. It includes the British countryside and national parks, historic buildings such as Blenheim Palace and Tattershall Castle, and the works of art within them. James Stourton's book, Heritage, explores two heroic periods of conservation in the 1880s and the 1960s and examines whether similar threats to heritage exist today. Heritage is a story of crisis and profound change in public perception, as well as one of hope and regeneration.

Heritage: A Story of Crisis and Change

Heritage is a term that encompasses a wide range of cultural and natural elements that have been deliberately preserved for future generations. It includes the British countryside and national parks, historic buildings such as Blenheim Palace and Tattershall Castle, and the works of art within them. James Stourton's book, Heritage, explores two heroic periods of conservation in the 1880s and the 1960s and examines whether similar threats to heritage exist today. Heritage is a story of crisis and profound change in public perception, as well as one of hope and regeneration.

The Victorians and Heritage

When the Victorians began to employ the term "heritage" in something approaching the modern sense, they applied it to cathedrals, castles, villages, and certain landscapes. Since then, a multiplicity of heritage labels have arisen, cultural and commercial, tangible and intangible, for just as every era has its notion of heritage, so does every social group, and every generation. Heritage is both a story of crisis and profound change in public perception, and one of hope and regeneration.

The Heritage of the British Countryside and National Parks

James Stourton focuses on elements of our cultural and natural environment that have been deliberately preserved: the British countryside and national parks, buildings such as Blenheim Palace and Tattershall Castle, and the works of art inside them. He charts two heroic periods of conservation – the 1880s and the 1960s – and considers whether threats of wealth, rampant development, and complacency are similar in the present day.

The Heritage of Historic Buildings

Historic buildings such as Blenheim Palace and Tattershall Castle are a significant part of our heritage. They are not only beautiful and historic, but they also have a rich cultural and historical significance. These buildings have been preserved for centuries and have been used for a variety of purposes, including as homes, offices, and museums. However, they are also vulnerable to threats such as neglect, vandalism, and development. James Stourton explores the challenges that these buildings face and the efforts that are being made to preserve them for future generations.

The Heritage of Artworks

Artworks are another important part of our heritage. They can be found in a variety of settings, including museums, galleries, and private collections. Artworks can be valuable for a variety of reasons, including their artistic merit, historical significance, and cultural importance. However, they are also vulnerable to threats such as theft, damage, and neglect. James Stourton explores the challenges that artworks face and the efforts that are being made to preserve them for future generations.

The Future of Heritage

The future of heritage is uncertain. While there are many efforts being made to preserve our cultural and natural environment, there are also many threats that are facing these elements. Climate change, urbanization, and economic development are all contributing to the loss of heritage sites and the degradation of the environment. James Stourton argues that we need to take action to address these threats and to ensure that our heritage is preserved for future generations. He suggests that we need to develop new policies and practices that will help to protect our heritage and to promote its value to society.

Conclusion

Heritage is a term that encompasses a wide range of cultural and natural elements that have been deliberately preserved for future generations. It includes the British countryside and national parks, historic buildings such as Blenheim Palace and Tattershall Castle, and the works of art within them. James Stourton's book, Heritage, explores two heroic periods of conservation in the 1880s and the 1960s and examines whether similar threats to heritage exist today. Heritage is a story of crisis and profound change in public perception, as well as one of hope and regeneration. We need to take action to address these threats and to ensure that our heritage is preserved for future generations.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 127 x 198 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838933173