ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the role of shared history in binding people together. The Chadds Ford Historical Society purchased and restored old buildings and opened them to the public, and the Brandywine Conservancy fought to prevent further suburban encroachment on the pastoral area and to promote the causes of conservation and preservation. The chapter shows how designers can use architecture and celebrations to remind residents of their common history, and even to make up their own origin story. It raises the questions for community designers: Is it ethical to present a doctored version of the past rather than the real thing– the way a place would like to be seen rather than the way it is? These questions touch on larger concerns about the composition and appearance of a community, and how these affect community- relevant behavior.
