Three Views on Landscape Documentation

Transcription

1 A Planner, an Architectural Historian, and a Landscape Architect Walk Into a Park: Three Views on Landscape Documentation Background, approach and process for cultural landscape documentation Two case study projects, with varied methods and outcomes Perspectives from three professional disciplines Jayme Breschard Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council Katherine Eggers Comeau Bero Architecture Zakery Steele, ASLA Bayer Landscape Architecture

2 Highland Park, Rochester, NY

3 Virginia Dept. of Historic Resources Early Preservation: Mount Vernon

4 Broadening the Definition of Historic: Social History en.wikipedia.org; photo by Dmadeo

5 Broadening the Definition of Historic: Civil Rights 271 Hamilton Street, Rochester, NY; Photo by LSWNY

6 44 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, NY; Photo by Bero Architecture Broadening the Definition of Historic: Recent Past

7 Source: Virginia Department of Historic Resources Monticello

8 Monticello plantpreview.blogspot.com

9 Mount Vernon

10 Seneca Park, Rochester, NY; photo by LSWNY

11 Manhattan Square Park, Rochester, NY; photo courtesy of LSWNY

12 The National Register of Historic Places

13 Limited Protection

14 Historic Resources

15 Main Street Armory, Rochester, NY; photo by Katie Eggers Comeau Building

16 Structur e Thurston St. Bridge, Ithaca; photo by Bero Architecture

17 John Andre Memorial, Tappan, NY; photo by Rolf Muller Object

18 Seneca Park, Rochester, NY; photo by the Landmark Society of Western NY Site

19 District Browncroft Historic District, Rochester, NY; photo by Katie Eggers Comeau

20 National Register Criteria A. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history Sackets Harbor Battlefield

21 National Register Criteria B. Associated with the lives of significant persons in our past Linwood Gardens, Pavilion, NY

22 National Register Criteria C. Central Park, New York City Photo: The Central Park Conservancy That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction

23 National Register Criteria D. That have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory. (Archaeological sites) Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation

24 Integrity Location Design Setting Materials Workmanship Feeling Association

25 Historic Resource Surveys: What and Why

26 Why survey historic resources? Identification Photo: Bero Architecture

27 Build community awareness and pride Rather Park, Huntsville, Texas; photo: preservationnation.org

28 Prepare for implementation of an ordinance or other protective mechanism Susan B. Anthony Preservation District, Rochester, NY; Photo: LSWNY

29 Identify properties eligible for preservation incentives Binghamton, NY; Photo: Bero Architecture

30 Avoid controversies by proactively identifying community priorities before a project is proposed Photo: Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation

31 Two Case Studies: 2009 Survey of Rochester s Historic Parklands Bayer Landscape Architecture / LSWNY / TCLF Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Inventory of Culturally Significant Areas Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council 1 2

32 2009 Survey of Rochester's Historic Parklands Bayer Landscape Architecture The Landmark Society of Western NY Charles Birnbaum (The Cultural Landscape Foundation) Rochester Parks History + Surveys of Parklands National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form (Department of Interior, NPS) The Municipal Park System of Rochester, New York Individual surveys of public park lands in Rochester that are over 50 years old or that otherwise has significance

33

34 Rochester Parks History Early Public Landscape Traditions in Rochester ( ) Olmsted Parks in Rochester ( ) The Reform Park Movement in Rochester (1890s-1929) The Recreation Park Movement in Rochester ( ) The Recreation Park Era in Rochester ( ) Wading Pool in Brown Square Park (1913)

35 Relevant Guidelines National Register: Bulletin 18 How to Evaluate and Nominate Designed Historic Landscapes National Register: Bulletin 15 How to Apply NR Criteria for Evaluation National Register: Bulletin 41 Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Cemeteries and Burial Places National Register: Bulletin 22 Guidelines For Properties That Have Achieved Significance In The Past 50 Years

36

37 Standard Surveys Extended Surveys Basic Site Information (current/historic names, designer(s) address, parcel IDs, UTM Coordinates, verbal description of location) Current Physical Description of Features and Character (Narrative) Land Use History Evaluation of Eligibility (Contributing Features) Site Condition Neighborhood Context Records, Maps, Historic Photos, Current Photos Sources Basic Site Information Cultural / Historic Narrative (land use history, historical significance, important events) Existing Conditions * Integrity (with period of significance) * (Neighborhood context, natural systems and features, spatial organization, buildings and structures, materials, vegetation, furnishings/monuments, circulation) Statement of Significance and Eligibility Evaluation Records, Maps, Historic Photos, Current Photos Sources

38

39

40

41

42 1926

43

44

45 c1920s

46

47 Mount Hope Cemetery, engraving by J.E. Young, 1838.

48

49

50 1935

51 (1977) Photo by City Photographer, LSWNY Photo files 1935

52

53

54 Kings Landing Cemetery 1790s, Rochester s First Cemetery Listed with Seneca Park NR designation

55 Kings Landing Cemetery 1790s, Rochester s First Cemetery Listed with Seneca Park NR designation

56 Schiller Park (Franklin Square) Olmsted Olmsted & Eliot Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot

57 1918

58 Exchange Playground

59 Exchange Playground 1918

60 An Elite Group Rochester is 1 of 4 American cities that have a comprehensive park system designed by Olmsted (Sr) Rochester, NY Buffalo, NY Boston/Brookline, MA Louisville, KY A City Plan for Rocheste r (1911) Arnold William Burnner Frederick Law Olmsted

61 Landmark Society of WNY and a network of volunteers began documenting these sites in 1998 What about National Historic Landmark designation for the entire park system? Only 60 NHL sites with Landscape Architecture significance (out of Olmsted Sr Park System Design - Significant Horticultural History - All 3 Olmsted s spanning 31 years

62 Two Case Studies: 2009 Survey of Rochester s Historic Parklands Bayer Landscape Architecture / LSWNY / TCLF Genesee-Finger Lakes Regional Inventory of Culturally Significant Areas Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council 1 2

63 Background Supported by Genesee Transportation Council s (GTC) Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2035 Satisfy the capabilities, needs, and objectives of the region s transportation system while minimizing potential conflicts with community character

64 What are culturally significant areas? National Park Service definition of cultural landscape is based on Preservation Brief 36 National Register Bulletin series provides guidance on evaluating, documenting, and listing different types of historic places Four general types of cultural landscapes

65 1. Historic Designed Landscape is a landscape that was consciously designed or laid out by a landscape architect, master gardener, architect, or horticulturist according to design principles, or an amateur gardener working in a recognized style or tradition. Examples include parks, campuses, and estates.

66 2. Historic Vernacular Landscape is a landscape that evolved through use by the people whose activities or occupancy shaped that landscape. Examples include rural villages, industrial complexes, and agricultural landscapes.

67 3. Historic Site is a landscape significant for its association with a historic event, activity, or person. Examples include battlefields and president s house properties.

68 4. Ethnographic Landscape is a landscape containing a variety of natural and cultural resources that associated people define as heritage resources. Examples are contemporary settlements, religious sacred sites and massive geological structures.

69 Public Process Nine County Planning Departments and County Historian s Office, plus the City of Rochester Ten to fifteen regionally-significant sites G/FLRPC narrowed these recommendations to about six to eight cultural landscapes per county for documentation

70 National Register Bulletin 18 and National Register Bulletin 30

71 Timeline List of sites compiled Archival research and fieldwork using survey standards Best representative sites were documented Final product is a narrative on findings and recommendations

72 Genesee County

73 Livingston County

74 Monroe County

75 Ontario County

76 Orleans County

77 Seneca County

78 Wayne County

79 Wyoming County

80 Yates County

81 Overview & Questions Methods of Landscape Documentation Depends on the goals, resources, sponsors, existence of past surveys, timeframe, desired outcomes. Discussion Points Funding Public Participation Types of Landscapes Why Chosen Landscapes? Application Evaluation Criteria Sources and Research Integrating Technology into Process Final Products, Types What is being done with the product? What went well in out case studies? What could have gone better in our case studies?