From Deseret News archives:
'History Detective' to speak in Salt Lake City
That notion comes from two aspects of Wright's personal career: as a historical investigator but also as a professor of architecture at Columbia University. And it will be central to her remarks as the keynote speaker at the 56th annual State History Conference.
Wright will speak Thursday evening at the Salt Lake Public Library. The conference, which is open to the public, will continue Friday and Saturday, with sessions on such things as Wallace Stegner, historical archaeology, Salt Lake City then and now, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, as well as a tour of the newly refurbished Utah State Capitol and more.
In a telephone interview from her home in New York, Wright talked about her upcoming visit as well as her experiences with architecture and history.
What Salt Lake City is going through right now with the restructuring of its downtown is a very exciting example of that, she said. "In the past, the way people looked at a downtown was to destroy the old and replace it with new. But now we ask 'What do we want to hold on to? How can we respond to our environment to make it better?' It's a much different approach than it would have been in the '50s," she said.
It will be fascinating to see how it turns out, but know this, she also advised: "However you try to figure out how it will all work, it will always be a little different. No matter how carefully you try, architects and designers can never quite control everything, because life can't be totally controlled."
That's a lesson Wright has learned on the "History Detective" series, as well. Tracking down the history and significance of objects often takes her places she didn't think she'd go. "It's not so much that we are looking for 'a truth' as we are thinking, what are the questions we should ask?"
Recent comments
I'll give you one example, though I'll probably get blasted for it:...
Cats | Sept. 10, 2008 at 1:37 p.m.
This will be a great event. Thanks for bringing her to town. Love...
awesome | Sept. 10, 2008 at 11:08 a.m.
Cats,
What are you talking about? Maybe at least one specific...
David | Sept. 10, 2008 at 9:37 a.m.
- 2 more in GOP may challenge Bennett 4:04 p.m.
- Miles, Saban back SEC officials 3:46 p.m.
- Baby sitter charged in infant death 3:45 p.m.
- Hockey HOF class gets its rings 3:03 p.m.
- Phelps to test old suits at World Cup 3:03 p.m.
- Flyers get QB back for semifinal tilt 3:02 p.m.
- Former DPS head pleads guilty 2:46 p.m.
- Hasan's lawyer to meet with him 2:45 p.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 2:42 p.m.
- Two arrested in $3 robbery 2:41 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Hope for single moms
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf'
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
257 - House passes health care bill
216 - Lobo suspended
176 - TCU showdown has big implications
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
153 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
130 - Thousands protest health bill
109 - Provo company innovating engines
108 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
106 - RSL rallies to advance
103
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Your reference to Mountain Meadow without also mentionsing that it only...
To 12:35: I'm happy to give Reagan credit where he deserves it. Like I said,...
So where is the great success in this? Wall Street is up, but thats to be...
he is going to say he is "fine" with the call. If he said the truth he would...
Some days I think Orrin Hatch is far to liberal and fair minded of a...
Which was the same argument made when a black man wanted to marry a white...
Why would playing in RES be special? Aren't there about 100 high school...
Can't baseball and American football end in ties too? I guess I see the...
"Matheson left Utah families to fend for themselves." No, the Republican...
Sure there is. I'll bet a large number of the people who see the headline...


