About the book
Charleston, South Carolina, today enjoys a reputation as a destination city for cultural and heritage tourism. In A Golden Haze of Memory, Stephanie E. Yuhl looks back to the crucial period between 1920 and 1940, when local leaders developed Charleston’s trademark image as “America’s Most Historic City.”
Eager to assert the national value of their regional cultural traditions and to situate Charleston as a bulwark against the chaos of modern America, these descendants of old-line families downplayed Confederate associations and emphasized the city’s colonial and early national prominence. They created a vibrant network of individual artists, literary figures, and organizations — such as the all-white Society for the Preservation of Negro Spirituals — that nurtured architectural preservation, art, literature, and tourism while appropriating African American folk culture. In the process, they translated their selective and idiosyncratic personal, familial, and class memories into a collective identity for the city.
The Charleston this group built, Yuhl argues, presented a sanitized yet highly marketable version of the American past. Their efforts invited attention and praise from outsiders while protecting social hierarchies and preserving the political and economic power of whites. Through the example of this colorful southern city, Yuhl posits a larger critique about the use of heritage and demonstrates how something as intangible as the recalled past can be transformed into real political, economic, and social power.
Editions of A Golden Haze of Memory
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807829363
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807855997
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807876541
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890875105
Read an Excerpt
Charleston, South Carolina, today enjoys a reputation as a destination city for cultural and heritage tourism. In A Golden Haze of Memory, Stephanie E. Yuhl looks back to the crucial period between 1920 and 1940, when local leaders developed Charleston’s trademark image as “America’s Most Historic City.”
Eager to assert the national value of their regional cultural traditions and to situate Charleston as a bulwark against the chaos of modern America, these descendants of old-line families downplayed Confederate associations and emphasized the city’s colonial and early national prominence. They created a vibrant network of individual artists, literary figures, and organizations — such as the all-white Society for the Preservation of Negro Spirituals — that nurtured architectural preservation, art, literature, and tourism while appropriating African American folk culture. In the process, they translated their selective and idiosyncratic personal, familial, and class memories into a collective identity for the city.
The Charleston this group built, Yuhl argues, presented a sanitized yet highly marketable version of the American past. Their efforts invited attention and praise from outsiders while protecting social hierarchies and preserving the political and economic power of whites. Through the example of this colorful southern city, Yuhl posits a larger critique about the use of heritage and demonstrates how something as intangible as the recalled past can be transformed into real political, economic, and social power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Golden Haze of Memory about?
Charleston, South Carolina, today enjoys a reputation as a destination city for cultural and heritage tourism. In A Golden Haze of Memory, Stephanie E. Yuhl looks back to the crucial period between 1920 and 1940, when local leaders developed Charleston’s trademark image as “America’s Most Historic City.”
Eager to assert the national value of their regional cultural traditions and to situate Charleston as a bulwark against the chaos of modern America, these descendants of old-line families downplayed Confederate associations and emphasized the city’s colonial and early national prominence. They created a vibrant network of individual artists, literary figures, and organizations — such as the all-white Society for the Preservation of Negro Spirituals — that nurtured architectural preservation, art, literature, and tourism while appropriating African American folk culture. In the process, they translated their selective and idiosyncratic personal, familial, and class memories into a collective identity for the city.
The Charleston this group built, Yuhl argues, presented a sanitized yet highly marketable version of the American past. Their efforts invited attention and praise from outsiders while protecting social hierarchies and preserving the political and economic power of whites. Through the example of this colorful southern city, Yuhl posits a larger critique about the use of heritage and demonstrates how something as intangible as the recalled past can be transformed into real political, economic, and social power.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A Golden Haze of Memory?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of A Golden Haze of Memory?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807829363
How long is A Golden Haze of Memory and how many pages does it have?
A Golden Haze of Memory has 304 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book A Golden Haze of Memory?
Stephanie E. Yuhl
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
A Golden Haze of Memory is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807829363) and paperback(ISBN 9780807855997) and ebook(ISBN 9780807876541) and pdf(ISBN 9798890875105)
Where can I buy A Golden Haze of Memory online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy A Golden Haze of Memory from below
Where can I buy A Golden Haze of Memory?