Site Visit Report

SITE VISIT REPORT (HIS 112) (REVISED 2010)

I. GOALS

This report is designed to accomplish a number of objectives.

A. To give student a proper understanding of a "sense of place." In other words, how historic buildings or areas reveal a good deal about the culture, hopes, aspirations and perhaps conflicts of the American people.

B. To allow students to understand the work of historians by conducting brief research (reading), first hand observation and then writing an essay on the importance of a historic site.

II. THE BEST WAY TO CHOOSE A SITE

A. Click on Sites to Visit for a list of pre-approved sites. The best one to chose is the one that holds the greatest interest to you. If you have time, think about traveling to one of the more distant sites and perhaps combining it with a vacation with family and friends. If time is a major problem for you, think about a site nearby. However, the more interest you have in a site, the better a report will be.

B. If you choose a site from this list, it is pre-approved. Email your selected site to me by the date indicated in the Task Calendar.

III. IMPORTANT DATES

A. Email your selected site by the date indicated in the Task Calendar

B. Site Visit Report Due: Click on Task Calendar Icon for date

IV. GUIDELINES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR WRITING YOUR SITE VISIT REPORT

You will be asked to complete a site visit report, which will demonstrate you ability to combine historical research with personal observation.

1. The report must be at least 5 double spaced pages. No doubt, many papers will be longer. In addition, In Text citations for historical material are required as is a bibliography. (Use MLA style guidelines) Your research must include at least 5 sources including online sources, books, articles and interviews. Online sources alone are not sufficient.

2. The site selected for your visit:

a. We both must agree on the site for your visit

b. If you choose a site from the Sites to Visit, your selection is pre- approved. Send me an Email designating your site selection.

c. If you would like to discuss visiting a site not listed above, it will require my approval.

1) The site must be of historical significance relating to American history since 1877.

2) There must be enough historical research material to support your personal visit.

d. You must do the historical research before visiting the site. In this way you will know what to look for and not be "a tourist."

e. Historical material must be utilized in the report and must be appropriately "cited." (MLA style guidelines). There must be a bibliography at the end of your paper and In Text citations of sources within the paper.

V. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU FOR THIS REPORT

The Bergen Community College Library has developed materials on many of the sites on the Pre-approved Site list. Prof. Joan Cohen of the Library developed these sources and is willing to assist you. She is a good- natured person who has an expertise and an understanding of this assignment. She may be reached at

E-Mail: [email protected]

Your instructor developed the list and is more than willing to discuss this assignment with you.

Remember: This is a site visit report. Your personal observations are very important. Your report should combine your research with substantial personal observations. At least 2 full pages of the report must be devoted to your personal observations, related in part, to the Key Points below.

VI. INTERVIEWS

Try to arrange an interview with a person associated with your site. You should arrange this before your visit.

VII. KEY POINTS TO THINK ABOUT FOR YOUR REPORT

(Not all these questions will apply to all sites. Use the points that do fit your site.)

a. What was the original sense of place? Has it changed over time?

b. How does the architecture, landscape or land use influence this sense of place?

c. How does your site fit into the surrounding area or neighborhood? Did the site influence the development of the surrounding area or does it fit into that area? Has the neighborhood or surrounding area changed since your site was built? Do any of these factors influence the sense of place?

d. What is the wider significance of the site (if any)?

e. Have the events of 9/11 changed the sense of place?

f. Is there a reason that the location of your site was chosen? Has the location of your site changed over time?

g. Why do people visit or use this site? Do visitors actively participate in the site in any way? How do they seem to react to the site?

h. Does this site help build community? If so, how? (What role does this historic site or landmark play in the civic life of the community. If any?)

i. What is it about this place that gives it historical significance? What does it tell us about the culture, hopes, aspirations, and conflicts of the American people?

j. If there are displays of objects, how do they reflect the purpose of the site? White displays seem most important?

VIII. PROCESS

a. Do your research on history of site before going on your visit

b. Speak to Prof. Cohen in the Library

c. Continue research

d. Call the site and ask for:

1. The days and hours of operation

2. Prior to your visit, call and try and arrange for an interview with a person at the site. Use the Key Points in your interview.

IX. FORMAT OF REPORT

a. Proof of visit must be attached to report including a picture of you at an easily recognizable part of the site.

b. In Text citations notes and bibliography are required for research and interview (Use MLA style guidelines)

c. Staple report

d. Keep a copy for yourself

e. Submit a hard copy of the report to me on or before date indicated in the Task Calendar.

X. CONTENT OF REPORT

a. Must be 5 or more double spaced typed pages

b. Papers must have a 1 inch margin and typed in either

Arial or Times Roman font, 12 inch

c. At least 2 full pages of the report must be on your personal

observations of the site