Bob,
Much has been written on the core area, yet much less is commemorated outside that zone even though it is spatially larger. The southern portion’s cultural map is much denser too. When invited to write the VAF essay a regurgitation of already published material like Wacker’s “Human exploitation of the New Jersey Pine Barrens before 1900” was unacceptable. I wanted a refreshing perspective. It’s not so much a South Jersey/North Jersey divide, but maybe one of East and West Jersey.
My goal was two-fold. I wanted to add geographic balance to the Pinelands cultural record, and I wanted to take a knock at the Pinelands Commission to remind them of their duty to preserve, protect, and enhance the region’s cultural resource. While the VAF, a national conference, was well attended by Trenton-based preservationists I saw no representation from the Pinelands Commission. Surprise, surprise.
S-M