Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Baram, Uzi

Keywords

North Port, Florida, Warm Mineral Springs, Heritage, Preservation, Community

Area of Concentration

Anthropology

Abstract

This thesis explores the community and political processes associated with the heritage site of Warm Mineral Springs as it came into public ownership. The study examines the heritage preservation challenges facing the state of Florida and considers the history of preservation in the United States with suggestions on how to model a successful preservation process, based on two years of engagement with Warm Mineral Springs. This thesis uses the literature associated with preservation legislation, economic and social values of heritage within a community, and heritage tourism; examines the multiple layers of history at Warm Mineral Springs from archaeology, ecology, architecture, business, historic use, and community involvement. This thesis was motivated by a central research question: how does the preservation and development of a multi-layered heritage site affect a community and how does the current heritage legislation and political participation support or inhibit this process? Secondary questions include: what are the stakeholders role in the process? Does the multiplicity of Warm Mineral Springs help or hinder the preservation process? The challenges facing Warm Mineral Springs address the social values of public archaeology and heritage and it's active role within the community. It is an example of dilemmas facing the future of preservation including why do heritage sites get preserved.

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