Mount Auburn: A Park That Changed America

March 22, 2016

Mount Auburn Cemetery is one of ten urban parks featured in 10 PARKS THAT CHANGED AMERICA, the second episode of a new three-part series 10 THAT CHANGED AMERICA, premiering Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 8:00 pm ET on PBS.

10 PARKS THAT CHANGED AMERICA, presented nationally by WTTW Chicago, highlights visionaries who transformed open canvases of land into serene spaces that offer city-dwellers a respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. While European cities were traditionally defined by their private squares and royal hunting grounds, American cities were often built around these democratic, public spaces. From the elegant squares of Savannah, Georgia, to a park built over a freeway in Seattle, to the more recent High Line in New York, each story introduces us to the heroes who brought these parks to life. Featuring landscape architects and historians, the show uncovers the evolution of our nation’s city parks and the history of landscape architecture — an art form in which human beings try their best to mimic nature.

Historian Aaron Sachs explains Mount Auburn's significance during the filming of 10 Parks that Changed America last June.

Historian Aaron Sachs explains Mount Auburn’s significance during the filming of 10 Parks that Changed America last June.

Mount Auburn is thrilled to be recognized as one of the ten green spaces that transformed urban living. Joining the Cemetery with this  honor are: The Squares of Savannah (GA), Fairmount Park (Philadelphia, PA), Central Park (New York, NY), Chicago’s Neighborhood Parks (IL), San Antonio’s River Walk (TX), Overton Park (Memphis, TN), Freeway Park (Seattle, WA), Gas Works Park (Seattle, WA), and The High Line (New York, NY).

Make sure to tune in to PBS on April 12th to learn about Mount Auburn and these other fascinating urban parks!


Other episodes in the 10 THAT CHANGED AMERICA series are 10 HOMES THAT CHANGED AMERICA (Tuesday, April 5, 2016), which highlights ten homes that transformed residential living, from grand estates such as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, to the pueblos of Taos, New Mexico and the tenements of 19th century New York; and 10 TOWNS THAT CHANGED AMERICA (Tuesday, April 19, 2016), a look at ten “experimental” towns that did not evolve organically over time, but instead were designed (or redesigned) from the ground up by architects, corporations, and citizens who sought to change the lives of residents using architecture, design, and urban planning.

Accompanying each episode and the three-part series are immersive websites where visitors can explore and learn more about the homes, parks, and towns; discover additional landmark places and spaces; and join the discussion. Featuring additional narrative content, exclusive video, stunning photography, animated and interactive features, activities, and more, the sites bring the stories introduced in the television specials to life. Visitors to the site will have the opportunity to suggest their own homes, parks, and towns for consideration by the online audience. The digital platform also localizes the experience so users can explore their own built environment with content drawing on the rich narrative and video assets from the television productions; interactive maps guide users to drill down to attractions near the homes, parks, and towns; and the sites feature quizzes, timelines, and a peek inside the technical and artistic achievements of each of the subjects. There will also be an educational curriculum that can be used in schools.

10 PARKS THAT CHANGED AMERICA is produced by Dan Protess and hosted by Geoffrey Baer. Executive Producers are Dan Soles and V.J. McAleer.

10ThatChangedAmericaBanner

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.