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
Highland Park, Rochester, NY
Virginia Dept. of Historic Resources Early Preservation: Mount Vernon
Broadening the Definition of Historic: Social History en.wikipedia.org; photo by Dmadeo
Broadening the Definition of Historic: Civil Rights 271 Hamilton Street, Rochester, NY; Photo by LSWNY
44 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, NY; Photo by Bero Architecture Broadening the Definition of Historic: Recent Past
Source: Virginia Department of Historic Resources Monticello
Monticello plantpreview.blogspot.com
Mount Vernon
Seneca Park, Rochester, NY; photo by LSWNY
Manhattan Square Park, Rochester, NY; photo courtesy of LSWNY
The National Register of Historic Places
Limited Protection www.preservationnation.org
Historic Resources
Main Street Armory, Rochester, NY; photo by Katie Eggers Comeau Building
Structur e Thurston St. Bridge, Ithaca; photo by Bero Architecture
John Andre Memorial, Tappan, NY; photo by Rolf Muller Object
Seneca Park, Rochester, NY; photo by the Landmark Society of Western NY Site
District Browncroft Historic District, Rochester, NY; photo by Katie Eggers Comeau
National Register Criteria A. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history Sackets Harbor Battlefield http://annablestrekntheusa.blogspot.com
National Register Criteria B. Associated with the lives of significant persons in our past Linwood Gardens, Pavilion, NY
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
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
Integrity Location Design Setting Materials Workmanship Feeling Association
Historic Resource Surveys: What and Why
Why survey historic resources? Identification Photo: Bero Architecture
Build community awareness and pride Rather Park, Huntsville, Texas; photo: preservationnation.org
Prepare for implementation of an ordinance or other protective mechanism Susan B. Anthony Preservation District, Rochester, NY; Photo: LSWNY
Identify properties eligible for preservation incentives Binghamton, NY; Photo: Bero Architecture
Avoid controversies by proactively identifying community priorities before a project is proposed Photo: Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
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
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
Rochester Parks History Early Public Landscape Traditions in Rochester (1789-1865) Olmsted Parks in Rochester (1888-1900) The Reform Park Movement in Rochester (1890s-1929) The Recreation Park Movement in Rochester (1930-1941) The Recreation Park Era in Rochester (1941-1965) Wading Pool in Brown Square Park (1913)
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
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
1926
1875 1900
c1920s 1875 1900
Mount Hope Cemetery, engraving by J.E. Young, 1838.
1935
(1977) Photo by City Photographer, LSWNY Photo files 1935
Kings Landing Cemetery 1790s, Rochester s First Cemetery Listed with Seneca Park NR designation
Kings Landing Cemetery 1790s, Rochester s First Cemetery Listed with Seneca Park NR designation
Schiller Park (Franklin Square) Olmsted Olmsted & Eliot Olmsted, Olmsted & Eliot 1875 1900 1918
1918
Exchange Playground 1875 1888
Exchange Playground 1918
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
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 +2700 - Olmsted Sr Park System Design - Significant Horticultural History - All 3 Olmsted s spanning 31 years
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
National Register Bulletin 18 and National Register Bulletin 30
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
Genesee County
Livingston County
Monroe County
Ontario County
Orleans County
Seneca County
Wayne County
Wyoming County
Yates County
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?