M.A.H.P. Thesis Abstracts

Melissa Bleier M.A.H.P. '09 on Becoming "The Track Girl"

Melissa Bleier M.A.H.P. '09 wrote her thesis on heritage speedways and their place in American cultural landscapes, and has been working on the preservation of speedways ever since.

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A student’s academic career in the Master of Arts in Historic Preservation program culminates in a written thesis. Each student selects a topic in consultation with faculty during Thesis Proposal and works with that faculty member and two other thesis committee members who are experts in the topic selected.

Below are abstracts of theses completed in the Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Program. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the full thesis, please visit the MDSOAR website or contact the director, M.A.H.P. director, Melanie Lytle at melanie.lytle@goucher.edu.

M.A.H.P. Abstracts

Thesis Authors & Titles

To view the abstracts of the titles below, visit the MDSOAR website.

Abe, Kimberly Ruth. Mapping a Paradox: The African-American Cultural Landscape in Antebellum Baltimore County, Maryland 

Adams, Carolyn Greenfield. Holding on to Heritage: Preserving Baltimore County’s African-American Cultural Heritage

Adams, Robert Parker. The Creole Cottage: A Historically Successful French Quarter Building Type 

Audin, Maria A.  Franchsing a Cultural Resource Management Consulting ServiceL Can a Cultural Resource Management Service be Franchised? An Inquiry into a Possible Business Model.

Balduf, Thomas. Adaptive Reuse of Nineteenth Century State Hospitals for the Insane

Benedict, Robert Creighton. The Impact of Encroaching Development Upon Endangered Civil War Sites within the Lowcountry of South Carolina  

Bennawit Jr., John F. Tobacco Warehouse Culture in Lancaster City, PA: Interpreting Tobacco Heritage

Bivens, Matthew Scott. The Historic Private Places of St. Louis, Missouri: Enduring Urban Forms

Bleier,  Melissa A. Don't they Just Turn Left? Nascar's Heritage Race Tracks and Preserving Stock Car Culture. 

Bookbinder, Susan. An Examination of Stakeholder Involvement in the Conservation of Two Historic Toronto Synagogues

Brandi, Richard.  A Reevaluation of Urban Renewal in San Francisco.

Brannon, Nicole. The Impact of U.S. Energy Policy on Historic Preservation as Illustrated by Three Case Studies in the Pacific Northwest

Braun, Julie. Change as an Historic feature in the Preservation of Places Related to Sience and Technology

Breslauer, Kenneth Charles.  Preservation Strategies for Historic Commercial Roadside Tourist Attractions in Florida  

Bretz, Karen E.  Preservation Issues Related to the Peter Pan Cannery in Dillingham, Alaska

Brigham, David Harold. Privatization of the Army's Historic Resources: An Examination of  the Effects of Privatization at Fort Sam Houston,Texas on Historic Properties

Bryant, R. Tod. Finding a Balance: the Rehabitilitation of Historic Buildings for Low-Income Housing

Calarco, Dominic. Modern Adobe: Preservation of Pre- and Post-World War II Residential Construction in Southern California

Callender, Dara. The Use of Railroad Economic Theory in the Design of a Highway : The Pulaski Skyway in the State of New Jersey

Casey, Barbara A.  San Diego's Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District: Defining the Goals in Revitalization of an Ethnic Historic District 

Conklin-Foster, Emily Margaret. An Analysis of Lykes Bros. Inc. v. Architectural Review Commission , et al. and its Effects on Hisotric Preservation in Tampa, Florida.

Connolly, Michael. The Leadership Role of Historical Societies in Main Street Programs

Cosmides, Marian M. Identifying Success Factors for Heritage Tourism Progams in Small Cities and Towns

Cooper, Imogen BillingsA Preliminary Identification of Historic Postwar Residential Subdivisions in San Antonio, 1945 To 1964

Dalton, Christine. Lauren Identifying Preservation Values in African American Communities.

DeFeo, Leandra Making History Green: A  Study of Geothermal, Wind and Solar Power in Historic Homes

Dennison, Samantha J. Pre-War Public Post Offices of the Treasurey Department and their Preservation in the Nation's Capitol

DiBella, Gina M. Curtain Call: The Role Of Historic Theatres In The Revitalization Of Erie Canalway Communities

Dietz, Duane "Where the Wild Things Were:" Preservation Strategies for Pre-1980 Outdoor Zoological Animal Exhibitsin the United States

Doak-Keszler, Katherine. Can We Fix It? Yes, We Can!: The Essential Historic Preservation Knowledge, Skills And Abilities for Construction Managers

Dressel, Denice. Pressured Landscapes: Preserving Agricultural Land on the Urban Fringe

Dutton, David  Jacob. Keeping Steam Up: Maintaining Integrity, Significance, and Authenticity in the Preservation Treatment of Operating Steam Locomotives

Eakins, Jan M.  To Preserve Our Recent Past: Protecting the Bellevue Forest Subdivision  in Arlington County, Virginia

Edwards, Carrie EllenThe Current State of Interior Documentation: Will It Satisfy a Reconstruction Goal?

Egan, Katherine Lynn. Meet Me in Saint Louis: Viewing Historic Integrity in a Continuum of Change through an Analysis of Forest Park

Ellis, Beth A. Defining the Social and Economic Benefits of Increased Accessibility for Historic Commercial Properties

Ellis, Christopher R. Encouraging the Use of Accurate or Appropriate Colors for the Interiors of Historic Residential Properties

Epler, Carole W.  A Historic Preservation Plan for Exurban Counties in Pennsylvania with Particular Reference to Berks County

Farris, Lorin Quality of Life Indicators Evident in Historic Residential Districts

Felber, Lynette Industrial Storytelling: Preservation and Adaptive at Waterfront Redevelopments in the Puget Sound Region of the Pacific Northwest

Filicetti, Paul N. Identifying and Preserving Symbolism: Montana's County Courthouses

Flatt, Jason William. The Professionalization of Historic Preservation.

Forsman, Leonard Andrew. The Dyes Inlet Indian Communities: An Analysis of the Historic Significance of an Off-Reservation Settlement

Fuller, Katherine J. Populuxe Motels: Preservation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the Wildwoods, New Jersey

Gaddis, DavidForgotten Outposts: World War II Japanese Military Structures and American Pacific Battlefields

Garner, LaDonna R. Protecting Midwest Pioneer Cemeteries through Cemetery Preservation Reform.

Gilman-Forlini, Jackson. In the Minds of the Living: The Adaptive Reuse of Monuments and Memorials

Gladhill, Elizabeth L. An Investigation of Historic Conservation Districts as a Viable Option for Saint Paul, Minnesota

Gottert, Leslie Larsen. Mutually Beneficial: Heritage Conservation and Community Development in Ethiopia

Greenway, John Understanding the Relationship Between the Public and Professional in Contemporary Historic Preservation

Gregory, Carrie Jeanette. Landscape Evolution and Management of Change.

Gordon, Suzanne CThe Importance of Sugar Estates to Sense of Place on Nevis, West Indies

Gormbley, Ethan. Transfer of Development Rights: An Effective Policy Mechanism for Historic Preservation

Grisi, Mark.  The Automatic Gas Machine Era, 1853-1923 : Analysis of Improvements in Patented Illuminating Devices and Processes

Gudel-Shaffer, Barbara Joan. Prioritizing Competing Interests on Historic Roads: The Westminster-Taneytown Oike in Maryland as a Case Study.

Gurdo, Cabryn. Layers: Significance, Heritage and the Complex Historic Place

Haddix, Leigh. Savoring Place: Protecting Chicago’s Sense of Place by Preserving its Legacy Restaurants

Hall, Gloria. Uncomfortable Truths and Hushed Silence: A Re-Examination of Interpretation and its Social Justice Role Within Historic Preservation

Hassler, Darlene. Preserving Integrity and Authenticity in the Public Display of Ruins

Handler, Ann Kennedy. Astronomical Heritage In A Spatial Context: Completing The Turn

Hankin, Lisa Bush. The Economic Value of Preserving Historic Interiors 

Hare, James K. Design Review and New Construction in the Charleston Historic District

Harper, Jenny Breaking Bread: The Application of a Sustainable Rural Development Model for the Preservation of Cultural Landscapes in Shenandoah County, Virginia

Harriss, Jennifer  Pridgen. North Carolina Main Street Communities and their Experience with New Connection.

Hart, Ann Bonnette. Factors That Influence Revitalization of Older Neighborhoods: Historic Preservation and Renewal Issues Facing Palmetto Beach, a Neighborhood of Tampa, Florida

Hart, Thomas G. Gazetting in Kenya: A Comparison to American Preservation Strategies

Hein, Pamela Dale. Planning for Successful Adaptive Use of  American National Guard Armories

Higgins, Melinda G. Preliminary Plan for Preserving Muddy Creek Forks, Pennsylvania

Hilliard, Josephine AntoinetteShould Plazas Be Preserved?

Hislop, David C. Jr. One of the Most Architecturally and Culturally Significant Greek Revival Villages in America: Essex, New York.

Holland-Moore, Lawana. Ethnic Minority Heritage Values and U.S. Historic Preservation Significance Policy

Horowitz, Ann D. The Effects Of Sea Level Rise On Historic Districts And The Need For Adaptation

Horne, Brian Joseph. "Hopstoric" Preservation: Craft Brewing And Historic Downtowns

Horstman, Anne H. Women Volunteers in Historic Preservation: Four Virginia Case Studies, 1966 to 1996

Huddleston, Connie Marie. Preserving and Interpreting Historic Archaeological and Architectural Ruins within Private Developments

Hutchinson, Leigh Ann. Habana Vieja: Reinforcing Current Preservation Philosophies and Programs to Endure Potential Challenges That Will Arise in Transitional Cuba

Jackson, Margo. Fair Representation: Modern Interpretations of The 1876 Centennial Exhibition, Historic Sites, Museums, And Digital Resources

Jacoby, Robert. Legal Challenges, Cultural Traditions And Preservation Strategies For Historic Rural Churches In Northwestern New Jersey

James, Diana E. Collaboration As a Strategy to Enhance a Heritage Tourism Program in King County, Washington

James, Jennifer Irsfeld. Historic Preservation as a Component of Community-University Urban Neighborhood Revitalization

Johnson, Woodrow. Sacred Preservation: Approaching Religious and Sacred Historic Properties with Appropriate Recognition as Cultural Heritage

Jorjani, Aimee Seeking and Determine Impacts: Justifying Federal Competitive Historic Preservation Grant Programs

Kassman, Michael J. Developing the Qualifications Standard for the Preservation Craftworker

Kausner, Janel Crist. Renewing Boston's Catholic Churches

Kirn, Laura A Case for Storied Landscapes: Wilderness and Historic Preservation

Klassen, Emily K. Effects Of Tourism On The Preservation Of Global Heritage Sites: Two Case Studies

Klobucar, Barbara J. The Influence of Pullman: Railroad Passenger Coach Colors, 1900 - 1940

Koenig, Chris. Preservation Strategies for Prehistoric Mounds in Missouri.

Kramer, Thomas C. Achieving High Quality Historic Site Interpretation: Identifying Best Practices for Connecting Visitors with Places

Licesse-Torres, Cynthia Anne. Discovering Mail-Order Dreams: How to Identify Sears, Roebuck, and Company Catalog Houses

Lione, Brian Michael. "Fairly Comfortable:" Temporary Officer Housing at Camp A.A. Humphreys, Virginia, 1919 - 1922

Littlewood, Carolyn. Building Carpentry into Nevada's Secondary Curriculum, One Nail at a Time

Lopez-Martinez, Maria Fernanda. The Coast in Peril: Preserving Puerto Rico’s Historic Resources from Sea Level Rise

Lytle, Melanie D. The Management of South Africa's Heritage for Nation Building in the Post-Apartheid Era

Magnuson, Rosalind K. Ecclesiastical Architecture of Francis Henry Fassett In Maine

Maimone, Robert. Preservation and Reuse of Abandoned Historic Railroad Tunnels in the United States

Mann, Donna. The Saint Louis Cemeteries in New Orleans, Louisiana: The Threats They Face and How their Long Term Future Can be Ensured

Manning, Derek. Protecting People, Places, and American Ideals: Integrating Federal Antiterrorism Measures into Historic Public Places

Mantay, Amy Trexler. An Evaluation of the Preservation of World War I-Era Planned Communities

Mantero, Gina Marie. Early Cultural Influences on Barn Building and Modern Day Efforts to Preserve: Can the Historic Barns of Putnam County, Ohio, be Saved?

Maruya, Harvey. Hotels Check in to Historic Buildings: Quantitative and Qualitative Success Factors for Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings to Hotels

McGinn, Timothy H. How Has the Evolution of Paved Road Systems Impacted Rural Historic Districts? Waterford Virginia: Case Study

Michailof, Sarah Grace. Can Transit-Oriented Development Accommodate Preservation Goals? A Study of Historic Structures and Districts in the Vicinity of Washington's Metro Stations

Mingus, Nancy Blumenstalk. John Hopper Coxhead: The Client Connections

Molson, Amanda Rockwell. The Adaptive Use of Historic Correctional Institutions: Retaining Architectural and Historical Significance

Moore,  Denise Marie. The Double-Door Farmhouse of Kew Aunee County: Preservation of a History and a Heritage

Murphy, Amanda Wendy. The Recent Past in a Green Future: The Effects of Environmental Sustainability on Preservation of the Recent Past

Nichols, Trent L. Chicago Community Development Organizations using Preservation to Improve their Communities

Norden, James Francis. The Conservation of Buildings Constructed with Portland, Connecticut Brownstone

O'Connell, Kim  Anne. Seeking Higher Ground: Determining Factors for Success in Appalachian Heritage Areas

Owens, Michael J.  Inahbiting a Piece of History for a While: Stewardship and Modern House Preservation

Paliwoda, Katherina. The Historic Preservation and Economic Development Benefits of the Florida Main Street Program

Papa, Jillian J. Preserving Intangible and Traditional Cultural Heritage at the Local Level

Park, Keith W. Thinking Outside the Crate: Preserving and Utilizing Historic Fruit Orchards in Northern California

Paulhamus, Katharine A. The Economy of Preservation: A Sustainable and Resilient Industry in North Carolina During Periods of Economic Downturn

Peltier, Robert  Joseph. Nineteenth Century Mennonite Settlement Patterns in Western New York Preservation of Existing Resources

Perunko, Jennifer M. The Bank of Alexandria: An Influence in Commerce and  Architecture in Alexandria, 1792 - 1834

Peters, Ronald Luther. The New Mexico Military Institute: Development of Its Campus Plan and Architectural Style from 1890 - 1930

Phillips, David John. An Analytical Study for Preserving U.S. Army Barracks Constructed between 1880 and 1940

Pickrel, Debra J. Wright Renewed: Two Views Reconstructing the Architect's Buildings in America and Japan

Pidgeon, Elizabeth A.  Reconciling the Concept of Significance in American Historic Preservation

Ragland, Keri. "Hoi Toide" Sustaining Adaptations and Mandating Action in Historic Flood-Prone Communities

Reiner, Donna Jean. Follow the Money: Identifying the Custom Architecturally Designed Branch Bank

Ressa-Moschides, Michele. Surviving into the 21st Century: The Preservation of Early Aviation Passenger Terminals

Ruff, Carin. Stranded in Time: Protecting Properties Outside the Period of Signficance in Existing Historic Districts

Russack, Thomas E. The Development of an Introductory Preservation Masonry Training Program for High School Age Students

Sale, Jennifer.  Steeling Home: Defining Authenticity and Integrity for Prefabricated Homes.

Saltarelli, Mary Estelle Golt. When Nature becomes Novelty: Preserving Petrified Wood Resources in North Central Texas

Scantlebury, Margaret. The Preservation of Napa Valley's 19th Century Agri-Industrial Landscape

Schliesman, Rolene R. North Dakota's State Historic Sites Registry: State-Level Approval Authority over Alteration and Demolition

Scott, Leigh.  Encore: New Life for Historic Movie Theaters

Scully,  Frances Chronowski. As the Garden Fades: Do the Current Treatment Standards and Guidelines Provide Sufficient Guidance for Successful  Historic Garden Preservation?

Sears, Ann. Preservation of the Cranberry Bogs of Cape Cod as Rural Historic Landscapes.

Selkowitz, Ira C. How Tourism Has Shaped the Preservation of Three Historic Mining Towns: Virginia City, Nevada, Black Hawk, Colorado, and Breckenridge, Colorado

Sharley-Hubbard, Ann. "Buildings Realize Culture": Chinese Vernacular Architecture in the Pacific Northwest, 1860-1910.

Sidwell, Karen A. An Analysis of Protection for Historic Interiors  

Smith, Jeffrey Stephen. Preservation of Carolian Seafaring Oral Cultural Heritage and Traditions.  Focusing on Traditional Canoe Culture.

Smith, Fred Rhodes. Restoration Reconsidered: Historical Accuracy of the Kitchen at Adena, a Federal Period House Museum 

Snediker, Quentin Thomas. Impact of Regulation on Historic Vessels in Underway Service

Snyder, Marie. Positioning National Heritage Areas to Deliver Place-Based Educational Programming

Sparenberg, Jennifer. Enduring Utopia: Sustaining a Sense of Place in the Greenbelt National Historic Landmark District

Stettner, Arianthe C. Put That Barn to Work! Can the Heritage Barns of Routt County Embrace Change?

Stewart, Kenneth Alan. Preserving Cultural Landscapes in Palm Beach County, Florida

Stokes-Hammond, Shelley. Recognizing Ludlow- A National Treasure; A Community that Stood Firm for Equality

Tate, David M. Managing Historic Trails through Wyoming

Tracey, Tobin Neal. Thomas M. Howard and James Hunt Nineteenth-Century Housewrights: An Examination of Their Work on Beacon Hill, Boston, MA

Travis, Samantha. Placekeeping for Preservation: Building a Culturally Sustainable Preservation Model

Uribe, Echo. With Soft-woven Spanish Names: Assessing Historic Preservation Programs in Texas Border Towns

Utt, Emily. This Debris Matters: Preserving Fire-Damaged Historic Buildings

Vagel, Barbara Christa. Universal Design and Historic Preservation. How and Under what Circumstances can the Goals of Historic Preservation and Equitable Access be met through the Application of Universal Design and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards?

Volanski, Kaitlin. Protecting Our History Underfoot: Filling in the Regulatory Gaps Through Local Archaeological Review

Von Lunz, Anna R. Overlooked Heritage in a National Park.

Wallace, Edith B. Reclaiming Forgotten History: Preserving Rural African-American Cultural Resources in Washington County, Maryland 

Wasielewski, Shannon Peterson. Early Twentieth Century Fire Stations: The Feasability of Continues Operation as Fire Stations.

Weeter, Joanne. Preserving Carnegie Libraries in Louisville Kentucky 

Weidmaier, Teresa Leigh. Applying Social Cause Marketing Principles to Preservation Advocacy

Weir, David. Sustainable Farms: The Role of Historic Preservation on Working Farms

Wheeler, Lynn Ellen. Are Traditional Tools and Techniques Applicable to the Preservation of Lake Geneva, Its Economy and Its Heritage? 

Wilson, Teresa I. Preserving St. Mary's County Tobacco Barns: The Influence of the Tobacco Buyout and the Changing Economic and Agricultural Landscape 

Wood, Rebekah K.  Determining Correct Temperature and Relative Humidity Ranges for Historic House Museum.  

Wright, Jr., Ray W. Standards of Restoration in Museums That Use Architecture in Their Interpretive Programs