CORRESPONDENCE - 75A SEXLINGER FARMHOUSE

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Evaluating: How to Evaluate and Nominate Designed Historic Landscapes, National Regi... Page 3 of 8 the landscape • structures such as bridges, roads, and dams • sculpture and other works of art Individual features, even though some may be movable or could be considered separately, contribute to the overall identity and character of the landscape and should be considered, in most instances, not individually but in terms of their relationship to the totality of the landscape. A recent survey or aerial photograph of the landscape is often helpful in identifying and locating such features. Narrative Description and Mapping of Historic Features and Function The narrative of the historical appearance should draw upon both documentary evidence and field observations. The discussion should include a chronology describing the evolution of the site from its original state original topography, and native vegetation (i.e., prairie grass, hardwood forest), if known, through its earliest and subsequent uses, designs, and physical alterations. Maps should delineate the exact, if known, or approximate locations of all known historic features. (See "Narrative Description and Mapping of Present Features and Function" above for types of features to include and "Research Field Work. and Documentation Techniques" for assistance in identification.) Determine Period of Significance and Preliminary Boundaries Using the information collected and organized above, the researcher should begin to determine the property's period of significance and preliminary National Register boundaries. The period of significance should be the time period in which the property achieved the qualities that make it eligible for the National Register. Continued use over time does not mean that the period of significance necessarily coincides with that time. There may be several distinct periods of significance for some properties. If this is the case, all historic periods should be noted. 2. Identify Designed Historic Landscape Types and Develop Historic Context Once the history of the landscape has been compiled, it is necessary to determine the type to which it most properly belongs. Then identify important events and trends that influenced the development of the landscape type during the period of the property's design or during any major alterations. At present the standard source for American landscape history is Design on the Land, the Development of Landscape Architecture by Norman T. Newton. It also maybe helpful to check with the State Historic Preservation Officer, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the National Association for Olmsted Parks, the Alliance for Historic Landscape Preservation, and other historical, preservation, and landscape professionals and organizations that may have already evaluated the significance of the landscape or identified the designed landscape type that it represents. They may also be able to recommend important source materials, to assist in identifying the physical features necessary to represent a particular type, period, or method of construction or planting, or to suggest significant associations within the development and practice of landscape gardening and planning. Decisions about the significance of properties can only be made with knowledge of the historic and comparative context for the property evaluated. Therefore, determining the httn • / /www_nneFOV/NR /nublications /bulletins /nrb18 /nrbl8 5.htm 2/28/2014