Practical Heritage Management

Scott Anfinson received a Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska and a PhD from the University of Minnesota, both in Anthropology-Archaeology. His first job was directing a highway archaeological survey, followed by 15 years as the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office Archaeologist and 10 years as Minnesota State Archaeologist. He has also taught heritage management and archaeology classes at the University of Minnesota. He was awarded a Fulbright Grant in 2019 to study heritage management in Norway. Anfinson has written and edited a number of books on Minnesota archaeology including Southwestern Minnesota Archaeology and A Handbook of Minnesota Prehistoric Ceramics. Besides heritage management, his research interests include underwater archaeology, urban archaeology, Indians of the Great Plains, and the prehistoric archaeology of the North American midcontinent.

Ultimately, what I like about this book is right in the title: it’s practical. The book is not titled “Idealistic” or “Perfect” Heritage Management because those approaches, while admirable, do not translate to the realities of implementing heritage management law. Rather, young heritage management professionals are handed reams of laws, regulations, management plans, and no small amount of institutional baggage through which they are forced to find their own way in the profession. Thus, there are as many ways to implement heritage management as there are practitioners, especially in a diverse, pluralistic society like the United States. Anfinson’s practical approach is a universally relevant vision for American heritage management, and this book articulates that vision clearly and concisely. I highly recommend it.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorChapter 1: The Purpose, Structure, and Language of American Heritage ManagementChapter 2: The History of American Heritage Management - A War StoryChapter 3: The Legal System and Early Heritage Preservation Legislation - Mortar and Some BricksChapter 4: The National Historic Preservation Act - A Firm FoundationChapter 5: The National Register of Historic Places - Keystone or Cornerstone?Chapter 6: Section 106 of NHPA - The Front WallChapter 7: More Environmental Process Laws - The Other Walls The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (DOTA)The Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act (AHPA) Chapter 8: Federal Specialty Laws - The Rest of the StructureLaws for Federal Properties Laws for Urban Renewal and Redevelopment Laws for Museums and Curation Laws for Special Properties and AreasChapter 9: Federal System Players - The Ground Floor of Heritage ManagementThe LeadersThe Property ManagersThe BuildersThe PermittersChapter 10: Non-Federal Heritage Management - The Building’s Other OccupantsHeritage Management in the StatesHeritage Management in CommunitiesHeritage Management in the Private SectorChapter 11: Among the Professionals - ArchaeologyChapter 12: Among the Professionals - History and ArchitectureChapter 13: Tribal Matters - Tribes MatterChapter 14: Conclusions – Looking Back, Looking ForwardAppendix A: GlossaryAppendix B: AcronymsAppendix C: Chronology Chart of American Heritage ManagementAppendix D: Traditional Cultural Property Evaluation WorksheetReferences Index