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Evaluating: How to Evaluate and Nominate Designed Historic Landscapes, National Regi... Page 4 of 8, <br />relationship between an individual landscape and the historic development and practice of <br />landscape architecture is an essential factor in determining significance. All landscapes that <br />possess age are not significant, and those that are significant must be determined from their <br />connection to the historic theme(s) it represents and in relationship to a group of similarly <br />associated properties. All the information required to demonstrate the significance of a <br />designed historic landscape will vary according to whether it is significant to the local <br />community, the State, or the nation. It may not be necessary to describe the development of <br />Iocal gardening styles, for example, for a designed historic landscape that is significant in <br />the national development of landscape architecture. If, however, the designed landscape has <br />no importance on the State or national level but is a significant example of a local style of <br />landscape gardening or landscape architecture, then such a discussion is required. If a <br />designed landscape is important at all three geographic levels -- local, State, and national - -it <br />should be discussed within the context of all three with significant contributions noted for <br />each level. Many State Historic Preservation Offices are defining formal historic contexts as <br />part of their comprehensive State historic preservation planning process and may be able to <br />assist nomination preparers with the compilation of comparative and thematic data for the <br />evaluation of a property. <br />3. Analyze Characteristic Features <br />Next, the researcher needs to determine the characteristic features that the property must <br />possess to be a good representative of its type, period, or method of design or construction, <br />and how it relates to the development and philosophy of its designed landscape type. For <br />example, a researcher approaching a park designed in the American Romantic style may be <br />looking for an emphasis on natural scenery and native plant materials, a lack of formal <br />design, and a curvilinear circulation system and other characteristics generally associated <br />with such parks. A landscape where these characteristics are not identifiable would not be a <br />good representative of this type and, therefore, ineligible for the National Register. <br />4. Evaluate Significance of the Historic Landscape Using National Register Criteria <br />As defined by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the National Register <br />criteria, to be eligible for the National Register a designed historic landscape must possess <br />the quality of significance in American history, architecture (interpreted in the broadest <br />sense to include landscape architecture and planning), archeology, engineering, and culture <br />and integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association <br />and <br />A. be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad <br />patterns of our history; or <br />B. be associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or <br />C. embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or <br />that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that <br />represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack <br />individual distinction; or <br />D. have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. <br />httn : / /www.nns.aov/NR/nublications /bulletins /nrb18 /nrbl8 5.htm 2/28/2014 <br />