Landscape History Chapter is heading into its 4th year...

In April 2004 a new Landscape History Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians was launched. The consensus was that such a chapter could help increase the breadth and depth of work in the field as well as help overcome disciplinary and geographic isolation by providing an informal structure for the exchange of ideas, sources, and research concerned with the design and reading of the landscape. The purview of the chapter might extend from the cultural landscape to botanical studies (and related materials) and a range of topics in between. Chapter members will solicit membership from a wide variety of disciplines concerned with landscape history.

The mission of the chapter is as follows:

- To encourage research in landscape, gardening, and horticultural history, and to promote the dissemination of such research through publications, meetings, lectures, and other such means as may be authorized by the membership.
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas related to these disciplines by programs at the meetings, visits, and functions of the Chapter. - To offer an opportunity for its members to visit significant sites or collections in North America.
- To promote conservation, preservation, and recording of significant landscapes.
- To cooperate with learned and professional societies in the pursuit of common objectives.

The current Advisory Board was selected to represent a diverse range of interests and areas of expertise and includes:
Judith Major, University of Kansas, President
Joseph Disponzio, University of Georgia , Vice President
Thaisa Way, University of Washington, Seattle, Secretary

In addition to the three officers, an advisory board includes:
Ann Komara, University of Colorado (three year)
Lance Neckar, University of Minnesota (two year)
Judith Tankard, Cambridge, Massachusetts (two year)
Margherita Azzi Visentini, Milan (two year)
Thorbjorn Andersson, Swedish Agricultural University, Ultuna (three year)
D. Fairchild Ruggles, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (three year)
Leslie Rose Close, New York, New York (three year)

The Chapter intends to insure at least one session at the SAH annual meeting devoted to landscape history. Other activities included establishing a book display of landscape-related titles at the next annual meeting. Efforts are also being made to add a landscape tour to the program of each annual meeting The creation of an electronic bulletin board has also been suggested for addition to the new SAH website.

Membership in SAH is required to participate fully in the activities of this chapter. Please consider joining us and participating in the Landscape History Chapter activities.