author
Edward Hagaman Hall
1858–1936
A journalist, editor, and preservation advocate, he helped shape how New Yorkers remembered their city's past. His books and public work brought local history, landmarks, and civic pride to a wide audience.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Auburn, New York, in 1858, Edward Hagaman Hall built an early career in journalism, editing newspapers before becoming known as a writer and lecturer on history and public affairs. He also wrote extensively on American and New York history, with works connected to subjects such as Jamestown, the Hudson-Fulton celebration, and historic sites in and around New York.
Hall is especially remembered for his long work with the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, where he served as a leading voice for protecting landmarks and places of natural beauty. In that role, he helped turn history into something public and practical, arguing that parks, buildings, and memorial sites were worth saving not just for scholars, but for everyone.
His career linked writing, civic service, and preservation at a time when New York was rapidly changing. He died in 1936, but his work still reflects an enduring belief that a city's history should be carefully recorded, widely shared, and actively protected.