New England’s stone walls hold historical, geological, and cultural significance. Professor Robert Thorson advocates for their systematic conservation. In a paper published in The Public Historian, he outlines a step-by-step approach using GIS and LiDAR technology to locate, map, and catalog these structures. His plan involves engaging communities, identifying property boundaries, classifying walls based on their characteristics, and integrating findings into public education. Thorson emphasizes that these walls tell unique stories about past climate, settlement patterns, and the labor of individuals who built them. His plans to grow public interest in preserving these historical landmarks by creating an accessible database for conservation, research, and storytelling.
