The essays presented here provide insights from historians, art historians, geographers, and students on the commemorative landscapes of North Carolina. Some of these essays place the commemorative activities and monument building in North Carolina in a larger national and international context. Other essays delve into the history of specific sites of memory, such as the area surrounding the state capitol in Raleigh. Yet other essays discuss monuments devoted to similar historical themes, such as the modern civil rights movement, or to a particular purpose, such as fostering contemplation. Several essays explain some of the approaches scholars in various fields, such as history, geography, and architecture, apply to the study of commemorative landscapes. Finally, some of the essays encourage us to think about the future of North Carolina's commemorative landscapes. Taken together, these essays offer an introduction to the layers of meaning that all commemorative landscapes, including those in North Carolina, possess.
