North Dutch Church, Erected 1769, Demolished 1875 1908

Editor: This is Sidney L. Smith's "North Dutch Church, Erected 1769, Demolished 1875," a print at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels like a quiet elegy for a lost landmark. What stands out to you? Curator: The demolition itself speaks volumes. Churches often symbolize power structures. To dismantle one prompts us to ask: Whose narratives were erased with that demolition? What communities were displaced, and what new powers rose in its place? Editor: That’s a powerful way to think about it. I hadn’t considered the social impact. Curator: Art serves as a historical record but also a catalyst for critical thinking. Consider how urban development often prioritizes certain communities over others. This image becomes a starting point for broader conversations about urban planning and social justice. Editor: I’ll definitely remember that. It makes me look at the piece, and other architectural depictions, much differently.