Course: History 221 — The History of Urban Life
Professor: Samuel Finesurrey
Spring 2025 Map of Statues Analyzed
Assignment Overview:
A Nature-Based Learning Assignment
Statues and memorials decorate many of New York City’s most important green spaces — but they don’t just tell us about history. They change how we experience nature. They interrupt, enhance, or even disappear into the natural landscape. In this assignment, you will critically evaluate how human stories and natural spaces interact — and how you experience both when you slow down and observe closely.
You will complete two tours:
- One in Midtown Manhattan
- One in your own home community
Each tour will ask you to:
- Research statues or memorials
- Reflect on how the statue interacts with the natural environment
- Pay close attention to the living environment around the statue
You will compose your assignment on Google Earth using this link: Google Earth Link.
Part 1: Midtown Green Spaces Tour
Visit three to five statues in Midtown Manhattan’s green spaces. Suggested parks include:
- Bryant Park
- Madison Square Park
- Union Square
- The High Line
- Central Park
- Columbus Circle
For each statue, complete the following:
| Category | What to Include |
| Photo of the Statue | Take your own photo. |
| Location | Streets and park name. |
| Name on Statue | Full name. |
| Years Lived | Birth and death years. |
| History | Why was this person or event honored here? (2-3 sentences) |
| Critical Evaluation | Should they be honored here? Why or why not? (2-3 sentences) |
| Nature Observations | Describe the plants, trees, animals, sounds, weather, and natural materials nearby. (2-3 sentences) |
Part 2: Home Community Tour
Visit three to five statues, murals, or memorials in your home community.
They can be located in:
- Parks
- Public gardens
- Greenways
- Natural settings
- Community gardens
For each representation, complete the following:
| Category | What to Include |
| Photo | Take your own photo. |
| Location | Streets and park name (or other location). |
| Name of Honored Figure/Event | Full name. |
| Years Lived | If applicable. |
| History | Why does your community honor them? (2-3 sentences) |
| Critical Evaluation | Should this person/event be honored? Why or why not? (2-3 sentences) |
| Nature Observations | Describe the plants, trees, animals, sounds, weather, and natural materials nearby. (2-3 sentences) |
Key Goals:
- Learn with and from natural spaces, not just about them
- Engage all your senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch)
- Notice how human memorials change (or blend into) the natural environment
- Reflect on the relationship between memory, power, and the living world
Rubric Highlights:
| Criteria | Points |
| Completion of required categories (photo, history, evaluation, nature observations) | 60 |
| Depth of Nature Observations and Reflections | 20 |
| Research Accuracy and Thoughtfulness | 10 |
| Google Earth Organization and Presentation | 10 |
See the instructions for uploading your pins below:
- You will need to sign into any google or gmail account. (If you don’t have an account with google, you can make one for free at gmail.com. You do not have to give your real name or personal information.)
- Click the folder icon near the top-left part of the screen. You should give the folder a name, which will be the title of your project.
- Create your first site by clicking the “Placemark” pin, which is near the top-left of the screen. Once you click the placemark icon, hover over the map and zoom in on the place where your first site will be. When you’ve pinpointed the exact location of the site, click the map at that spot.
- Give your placemark a name and also give it a color when the information box comes up after you’ve pinpointed your placemark.
- Click “+ Description” in the information box that appears after you’ve created your placemark. Add your description of your place (it could be written or audio). To add your photo, scroll down below the description box and click “+ Media.” This is where you will put any audio or video as well. You will need to upload whatever file(s) that you intend to use.
Repeat this process for each placemark. You should make sure all your placemarks are signified by the same color and also make sure all your placemarks are filed in the same folder.
