Karen Van Etten

In the year 2000, Karen McGuire Van Etten began a decade long crusade to nominate the Newfield King Iron Bowstring Bridge onto the National Register of Historic Places in Washington D.C., sparking a battle between municipalities that would not be soon forgotten by anyone.

Known for her perseverance, Van Etten became a prominent fixture at the local Town and County Board meetings, becoming a catalyst for residents to stand up and preserve the King Bowstring Bridge built in 1873.

King Bridge over Troubled Waters: Preservation versus Destruction of the Historic Zenas King Iron Bowstring Bridge in Newfield, New York is Karen Van Etten's first book. Van Etten hopes to give everyone a road map to the sometimes treacherous waters of politics and preservation, and find their way to success.