Ightham Mote: The House and its Buildings
The word 'monument' contains two ideas: 'commemoration' and 'survival'. Historic buildings of all ages commemorate the past because they are as integral a part of it as are written documents, which are sometimes described as 'monuments' in their own right.
Many buildings in fact predate documents as historical evidence. To a greater extent than written records, however, they are often not self-explanatory, but must be visualised and interpreted in the context of their own times. The purpose of this series is to present an historical interpretation of selected buildings and sites of local, national and international interest. Against this background, their survival and preservation in all senses technical, financial and political will figure largely in the present series. By this handling of our architectural heritage, it is hoped to make a direct and relevant contribution to the merging of past and present in History Today.
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