Advancing Underrepresented Preservation Webs: A Cross-Case Analysis for African American Historic Site Planning

Colonel Allensworth, California, and Nicodemus, Kansas, were designated by law as historically significant locations where African Americans attempted to build a place of their own after the traumas of slavery. In 1974 Allensworth was designated as the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, and in 1996 five buildings in Nicodemus were designated as the Nicodemus National Historic Site. We highlight the unique history and compare the designation impacts and the value of inclusive and equitybased preservation planning for these places. Key partners from both sites were interviewed to better understand the preservation planning conditions and outcomes. A previous study conducted by the first author was used for the Nicodemus National Historic Site interview findings. Central preservation policies and park planning documents impacting both locations were also analyzed and used as measurements of success in attaining original park goals related to preservation partnerships. Findings are presented emphasizing preservation web impacts and outcomes. Planning improvement suggestions and best practices for both sites were also generated. Final recommendations include creating and maintaining business, strategic, and preservation plans, building stronger and more sustainable partnerships, better utilizing preservation network resources, and revitalizing the rural townships. Best practices include implementing improved organizational planning, equity- and inclusion-based, culturally competent, digital, and economic-oriented efforts at each site. Finally, we propose a three-step model for equity-focused evaluation and in highlighting the present-day significance of planning for underrepresented African American historical locations.