James M. Lindgren’s Preserving Historic New England: Preservation, Progressivism, and
the Remaking of Memory is a extensive account of the historic preservation movement of the
1910’s into the 1930’s. More specifically it is an account of William Sumner Appleton Jr’s
SPNEA, Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. It also offers a discussion
about other Appleton and other leaders in the Neo-Colonial Movement of the same time period.
Chapter one is a discussion about William Sumner Appleton and his interest in legalizing his ancestor’s Puritan ideals. He sought to preserve Puritan ideals and making the rigid industrialization of New England more bearable. Appleton opened one of America’s first integrated textile mills.…show more content… Again, paralleling the efforts of Wallace Nutting, who was suspicious of urbanization, Appleton rejected modernism and all of its side effects. Lindgren offers an interesting discussion about “mugwumps.” Unbeknownst to me, a “mugwump” is a well educated and socially prominent individual who preaches conservative philosophy based on enlightened rule and individualistic values.” A long and antiquated definition for such a crude turn of phrase. As Lindgren articulates, “mudwumps prized their memory, sweetened by myth and wishful thinking, of an earlier unvarying harmony in New…show more content… He believed
that the Industrial Revolution undermined a rich builder’s tradition. Lindgren argues, “the
business of America is business.” It would seem that Appleton and his efforts with historical
preservation could not escape industrialization. His movement was governed by “the principles
of hierarchy, efficiency, and bottom-line financing.” All of which are important elements of
industrialization. The First World War led to a more encompassing call for progressivism. Many
men felt the call of duty and women were tasked with keeping the home front. Various things
threatened the business of historic preservation. These projects were often times staffed by
people who are ill instructed and uneducated. Many were not even interested in the craft but
sought to escape the city. Many of the improvements were uniform and soon became
