Freedom Memorial Walkway adds ASU

Sept 2008

Freedom Bridge Foundation

teams up with ASU program

By Staff Reports

The Freedom Bridge Foundation announced Wednesday that they have teamed with Arizona State

University's nationally acclaimed Public History Program to develop the "76 Moments of Freedom" historical

markers for the Freedom Memorial Walkway, which is an element of the Freedom Bridge project,

according to a news release.

"The Public History Program at Arizona State University is extremely excited to be part of a project,

which we hope will allow both residents of Lake Havasu City and visitors to explore and discuss

the various dimensions of freedom in such an ideal location," said Professor Brooks Simpson, ASU's

principal investigator for the project. "We believe the result will leave a lasting impression on anyone who

comes to Lake Havasu City."  

When completed, The Memorial Walkway will connect the London Bridge with the planned Freedom Bridge.

The completion of the project is scheduled as early as 2012.  In addition to thousands of engraved bricks,

the 24-inch-by-24-inch "76 Moments of Freedom" bricks will tell the story of America's ongoing pursuit

of freedom.

"Selecting and interpreting these very important events in American history is no easy task," said

Brian Wedemeyer, Foundation President. "We really wanted an established authority on history to help

us with this very important assignment." ASU's Public History Program has worked with several state institutions

over the past decade, including State Archives, Arizona Historical Society, Arizona Humanities Council,

Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, Tempe Historical Museum and Pueblo Grande Museum. It is currently

involved with three National Park Service projects.

One of the program's top graduate students has been assigned to the Lake Havasu City project. The

graduate will be under the close guidance of Simpson, who is an internationally known scholar

and expert on presidential administrations and the Civil War. Simpson has consulted for Civil War battlefields

and the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Ill.  Professor Noel Stowe, who received the 2008 Governor's Heritage

Preservation Award for outstanding achievement in preserving Arizona's historic resources, is also involved.

The "76 Moments of Freedom" will be determined in a collective effort by ASU's team and other

renowned historians involved before the topics will be subject to an essay competition for Arizona

students.

The historical markers for the walkway will each include the brief description of an event or chosen

historical moment and will be accompanied by a student essay about they think the event advanced

America's pursuit of freedom. The student essays will be substantiated with an official textbook explanation

of the event provided by the ASU team.

So far, three Lake Havasu City students will be writing the essays for the first historical markers. The

Public History Program will also help with the initial planning of the statewide essay contest that is anticipated

to begin in a few months.

Proceeds from the sale of engraved bricks will benefit the Freedom Bridge enhancement project that

includes an upgraded bridge design and a Veterans park.

The engraved bricks are available online for purchase at  www.havasufreedombridge.com.