Capturing the past : connecting communities on the Miami & Erie Canal

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Authors
Schmiesing, Rebecca A.
Advisor
Spangler, Ronald L.
Issue Date
2003
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.L.A.)
Department
College of Architecture and Planning
Other Identifiers
Abstract

One third of United States adults (65.9 million) took a historic or cultural trip in 1995. (Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism) Throughout the United States, communities and regions are losing their identity and their heritage due to a variety of different reasons from urban sprawl to lack of maintenance. Due to the disappearance of the cultural landscapes, today's generations and their future generations can lose the knowledge and the pride associated with their hometown or region. Through the celebration and representation of our history through heritage trails, regions and communities can retain their character and individuality for fixture generations.Heritage trails became part of the greenways idea when greenways started to link people to heritage areas and places. As a result, greenways became heritage trails. With the rich culture of the country, there is an increasing opportunity for designers to reach communities through their heritage and backgrounds. This study attempted to use the guidelines of greenways, interpretation, and education to design a heritage trail along a canal heritage corridor. Heritage corridors across the country are being used as models to demonstrate the guidelines and design techniques for the celebration and preservation of cultural landscapes in the United States. The models in this study included the Heritage Trail in Dubuque County, Iowa, the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, and Delaware & Hudson Heritage Corridor, Port Jervis, New York.The heritage trail is located along the Miami & Erie Canal between the towns of New Bremen and Minster, Ohio. New Bremen and Minster are located on the summit of the Miami & Erie Canal, which spanned from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. The canal was used for transportation, industry, and the settlement of interior parts of Ohio. This study incorporated the region's history including not only the canal but also the communities' history, and possible connections to city and rural residents through a heritage trail. Education and interpretation played a large role in connecting the area on the heritage trail. This study consisted of a master plan for a larger portion of the Miami & Erie Canal as well as a more detailed segment for New Bremen and Minster.