# Historical Background explained — Sticks and Stones

> Chapter companion for Sticks and Stones by Lewis Mumford.

## What happens

This chapter introduces the historical setting of American architecture and civilization, recommending key local guidebooks and histories. It notes the wave of civic enthusiasm in the 1890s that produced many local descriptions, though often lacking sociological depth. It highlights Weeden's and Morison's works as exemplary regional histories that approach a 'natural history' of the human community.

## Themes in this chapter

### Economic and Social Foundations of Art

The chapter emphasizes the importance of economic and social histories, such as Weeden's and Morison's works, in understanding the foundations of architecture and civilization.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Eliot Morison

Author of Maritime History of Massachusetts, cited as a standout regional history.

## Key lines

> In the wave of civic enthusiasm that swept over the country in the ’nineties, many local descriptions and histories were written.

During the 1890s, a surge of civic pride led to the creation of numerous local histories and descriptions.

_Contextualizes the era's historical writing._

> As regional histories, Weeden’s Economic and Social History of New England , and Mr. Samuel Eliot Morison’s Maritime History of Massachusetts , stand in a class by themselves: in them we have the beginnings of what W. H. Riehl called a “natural history” of the human community.

Weeden's and Morison's regional histories are exceptional, representing the early development of a 'natural history' of human communities as defined by W. H. Riehl.

_Highlights the significance of these works for understanding community and civilization._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sticks_and_stones_se/chapters/i-historical-background
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sticks_and_stones_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sticks_and_stones_se/chapters