American Landscape History

American landscape history traces how the land has been shaped and perceived over time, reflecting cultural values, environmental changes, and technological advances. Indigenous peoples originally managed and valued the landscape through practices like agriculture and spiritual traditions. European settlers reshaped the land through farming, urban development, and conservation efforts. The rise of parks and protected areas emphasized natural beauty and recreation, influenced by movements like Romanticism and conservationism. Today, landscape history considers how human activities, environmental challenges, and aesthetic ideals continue to influence America’s physical environment and cultural identity.