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Preservation Brief 36: Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Manage... Page 2 of l l
<br />property consistsof all Its cultural resources — landscapes, buildings, archeological sites and collections. In some cultural
<br />landscapes, there may be a total absence of buildings.
<br />This Preservation Brief provides preservation professionals, cultural resource managers, and historic property owners a step
<br />-by -step process for preserving historic designed and vernacular landscapes, two types of cultural landscapes. While
<br />this process is Ideally applied to an entire landscape, it can address a single feature, such as a perennial garden, family
<br />burial plot, or a sentinel oak In an open meadow. This Brief provides a framework and guidance for undertaking projects to
<br />ensure a successful balance between historic preservation and change.
<br />Definitions
<br />Historic Designed Landscape —a landscape that was consciously designed or laid out by a landscape architect, master
<br />gardener, architect, or horticulturist according to design princlples,or an amateur gardener working in a recognized style or
<br />tradition. The landscape may be associated with a significant person(s), trend, or event in landscape architecture; or
<br />Illustrate an important development in the theory and practice of landscape architecture. Aesthetic values play a significant
<br />role in designed landscapes. Examples Include parks, campuses, and estates.
<br />Historic Vernacular Landscape —a landscape that evolved through use by the people whose activities or occupancy
<br />shaped that landscape. Through social or cultural attitudes ofan Individual, family or a community, the landscape reflects
<br />the physical, biological, and cultural character of those everyday lives. Function plays a significant role in vernacular
<br />landscapes. They can be a single property such as a farm or a collection of properties such as a district of historic farms
<br />along a river valley. Examples Include rural villages, Industrial complexes, and agricultural landscapes.
<br />Historic Site —a landscape significant for Its association with a historic event, activity, or person. Examples include
<br />battlefields and president's house properties.
<br />Ethnographic Landscape —a landscape containing a variety of natural and cultural resources that associated people
<br />define as heritage resources. Examples are contemporary settlements, religious sacred sites and massive geological
<br />structures. Small plant communities, animals, subsistence and ceremonial grounds are often components.
<br />Developing a Strategy and Seeking Assistance
<br />Nearly all designed and vernacular landscapes evolve from, or are often dependent
<br />on, natural resources. It Is these Interconnected systems of land, air and water,
<br />vegetation and wildlife which have dynamic qualities that differentiate cultural
<br />landscapes from other cultural resources, such as historic structures. Thus, their
<br />documentation, treatment, and ongoing management require a comprehensive,
<br />multi - disciplinary approach.
<br />Today, those involved in preservation
<br />planning and management of cultural
<br />landscapes represent a broad array of
<br />academic backgrounds,tralning, and related
<br />project experience. Professionals may have
<br />expertise In landscape architecture, history,
<br />The -Soot Fence," nor D.H. Lawrence Ranch,
<br />guests, New Mexico, is an example of a
<br />Chaucer -0erining Iandscepe feature. Photo:
<br />Courtesy, Cheryl Wagner.
<br />landscape archeology, forestry, agriculture, horticulture, pomology, pollen analysis,
<br />planning, architecture, engineering (civil, structural, mechanical, traffic), cultural
<br />geography, wildlife, ecology, ethnography, interpretation, material and object
<br />Another example of a very different lantlsmpe conservation, landscape maintenanceand management. Historians and historic
<br />feature Is this tree planting detail for lefferson preservation professionals can bring expertise in the history of the landscape,
<br />m
<br />Magnal Park, St. Louts, Missoua. Photo:
<br />courtesy, Dan Kiley, architecture, art, industry, agriculture, society and other subjects. Landscape
<br />preservation teams, including on -site management teams and independent
<br />consultants, are often directed by a landscape architect with specific expertise in
<br />landscape preservation. It is highly recommended that disciplines relevant to the landscapes' Inherent features be
<br />represented as well.
<br />Additional guidance may be obtained from State Historic Preservation Offices, local preservation commissions, the National
<br />Park Service, local and state park agencies, national and state chapters ofthe American Society of Landscape Architects, the
<br />Alliance for Historic Landscape Preservation, the National Association of Olmsted Parks, and the Catalog of Landscape
<br />Records in the United States at Wave Hill, among others.
<br />A range of issues may need to be addressed when considering how a particular cultural landscape should be treated. This
<br />may include the in -kind replacement of declining vegetation, reproduction of furnishings, rehabilitation of structures,
<br />htfnJ /www.nnq.gov /tns/ how- to- nreserve/ briefs /36- cultural- landscal3es.htm 2/28/2014
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