Historic Preservation

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Digging into a Dugout House (Site 21SW17): The Archaeology of Norwegian Immigrant Anna Byberg Christopherson Goulson, Swift Co., MN
(Program for Archaeological Research, University of Kentucky, 2003-05-15) Linebaugh, Donald W.
This report presents the results of excavations on the dugout house site (21SW17) of Anna Byberg Christopherson Goulson in west-central Minnesota. The work was completed by Dr. Donald W. Linebaugh of the University of Kentucky and a group of family volunteers between June 6 and 12, 2002. Anna and Lars Christopherson reportedly moved into their dugout house ca. 1868. Lars and two of the five Christopherson children died of scarlet fever ca. 1878. Anna married Hans Goulson, who had immigrated to the area from Wisconsin, in 1879. Sometime after the birth of their first child in the dugout in late 1879, Anna and Hans built a small wood frame house on land located about a half mile south of the dugout. Archaeological survey and investigations identified the dugout house and documented the belowground architecture of the structure. The later ca. 1880 wood frame house was also recorded as part of this project.
Looking Back, Looking Forward: A New Look at the Historic Resources of the Maryland Port Towns
(2008) Bowling, Matt; Carpenter, Jennifer; Dorman, Alice; Guzman-Torres, Zasha; Harada, Rei; Kockritz, Justin; Merrifield, Kelly; Stuebner, Alisyn; Vaughan, Jason; Konsoulis, Mary
During the fall of 2008, the historic preservation studio of the University of Maryland’s Graduate Program in Historic Preservation developed a heritage resource study for the Maryland Port Towns, a group of four individual municipalities located on the Anacostia River in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The client, the Port Towns Community Development Corporation, made it clear from the beginning that the study was to dovetail with their already extensive efforts for social and economic development in the Port Towns. The study that follows is the culmination of the efforts of the nine-member studio team. Titled Looking Back, Looking Forward: A New Look at the Heritage Resources of the Maryland Port Towns, the study initially developed from two principal questions: • What existing historic resources are located in the Port Towns? • What can be done to preserve, enhance, and highlight the existing historic resources located in the Port Towns to meet the socioeconomic goals set by the Port Towns Community Development Corporation?
The World Heritage Convention's Impact on Local Communities: Can We Utilize the U.S. Historic Preservation Approach for the World Heritage Program?
(2008-05) Harada, Rei
Many countries try to obtain sustainable community development by participating in the World Heritage Convention, particularly when they discovered that the World Heritage Program is a useful tool for developing cultural recognition as well as for addressing challenging problems related to over successful tourism. While the World Heritage Convention is not generally known in the United States, the country has recently increased their involvement in the World Heritage Convention after rejoining UNESCO. In this paper, first, I will describe how the World Heritage Program is useful for community development, but will also explain the World Heritage‟s negative impacts of successful tourism on local communities through analysis of a case study: Lijiang, China. Next, I will illustrate the possibilities for the future of the World Heritage program with the U.S.‟s renewed participation as a solution for negative impacts local communities. Finally, I will recommend the importance of historic preservation in terms of international cooperation.
Points of Intersection: Historic Preservation in Kent County, Maryland, and Planning for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
(2008-05) Chance, Cynthia
In October 2006 the commissioners of Kent County, Maryland, enacted legislation establishing an Historic Preservation Commission. Earlier in 2006, Kent County prepared a comprehensive management plan that included a chapter addressing historic preservation issues. On December 19, 2006, the National Trails System Act was amended to designate the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (CAJO), the first completely water-based trail in the national parks system. During 2008 and 2009, the National Park Service is creating its comprehensive plan for the management and use of the trail. The NPS depends on partnerships with public and private entities at the local and regional level to help create such a plan. herefore, a primary research question is the extent to which Kent County can concentrate historic preservation efforts to complement CAJO planning. This study will examine opportunities available to the County in historic site preservation as they relate to the development of CAJO.
Evaluating Archaeological Sites on Private Property
(2008-05) Ingram, Sonja
In the United States archaeological sites located on private property generally have no protection at all. The concept of private property gives landowners the right to control sites they own largely as they see fit, and unfortunately irreplaceable elements of America’s heritage are being destroyed at an alarming rate. Once an archaeological site has been disturbed or destroyed, the context of the site can never be reconstructed and valuable information on America’s cultural heritage is lost forever. This study is an examination of a set of archaeological sites in Maryland located on private property. It is hoped that data complied on these sites can provide a general guide as to what is happening to sites located on private property in Maryland and possibly a larger geographic region. This study is also designed to reveal if any of the sites researched are good candidates for protection strategies such as the use of preservation easements. The final element of this study is an attempt to gauge landowner interest in protecting sties. It is hoped that knowledge gained through this study will help illuminate the status of archaeological sites located on private property and increase public awareness and appreciation of sites in Maryland and the region.
A Historic Perspective for Environmental Sustainability Principles in American Architecture
(2008-05) Gamble, Sharon
Environmental sustainability has become one of the most visible considerations for today’s built environment. Over the past thirty years, there has been an increasing focus on developing and implementing sustainability principles as a means to promote environmental stewardship and the protection of life and natural resources. While we tend to think of sustainability design as a fairly recent phenomenon, is it really? It is doubtful that the architects of historic American buildings ever heard the terms “sustainable design” or “going green,” however, many of their designs reflect inherent sustainability principles. The premise of this paper is that sustainability principles have been used throughout American architecture and an important role of historic preservation is to identify and communicate these principles. The goal of this paper is to document and provide a catalogue of some of the more innovative historic approaches to achieving environmental sustainability in American architecture.
Reintegrating Public History and Environmental Education: Preservation and Interpretation of an Architectural Ruin at Java Plantation, Edgewater, Maryland
(2008-05) Ruck, January M.
The mansion ruin at Java Plantation in Edgewater, Maryland, has deteriorated significantly since its abandonment as a dwelling in 1923. Located on a hilltop overlooking the Rhode River, a Chesapeake Bay tributary, the remains of a five-part Georgian mansion are anchored by a landscape that retains the rural character of its agricultural past. On-going archaeological investigation, along with recent transition from private control to ownership by the neighboring Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, makes the Java Plantation site unique among historic resources. This study provides an argument justifying the expenditure of financial and human resources for stabilization of the Java Plantation ruins based on an interpretation plan that partners public history with environmental education objectives. In addition, this investigation offers the field of preservation an example of how stabilized ruins may function as features on the landscape where heritage preservation and environmental conservations interests intersect in literal and symbolic ways.
Preservation Strategy for the New Philadelphia Town Site
(2008-05) King, Charlotte
This project proposes preservation plans for the historic town site of New Philadelphia, Illinois, the first known town platted and registered by an African American before the Civil War. Frank McWorter, a freedman, founded the town in 1836 and sold lots to African- and European-American settlers. New Philadelphia is of exceptional historic significance as a place where African- and European-American settlers bought property and lived as neighbors in a time and region of intense racial discrimination and prejudice. The once active settlement is now an archaeological site, but memories of the town and its occupants were kept alive by family and community descendants and local residents. Questionnaires presenting several preservations options were distributed to archaeologists involved in excavating the site, members of the New Philadelphia Association, local community leaders, area residents, family descendants, and descendants of town residents. This paper includes an analysis of the questionnaires and suggestions for preserving the historic town site.
Keeping the Charm of Peking: Promoting Preservation through the Beijing Olympics
(2008-05) Su, Beibei
Final project submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Historic Preservation, 2008."/ "HISP 700 Spring 2008"--Cover./ Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-37).
Values-centered preservation theory and the preservation planning of African-American historic resources in Prince George’s County, Maryland
(2008-05) Duvall-Gabriel, Najah
This paper examines values-centered preservation theory as articulated in Randall Mason’s article Theoretical and Practical Arguments for Values-Centered Preservation, and considers its usefulness as a model for preservation planning of African-American historic resources. This paper explores aspects of the Prince George’s County historic preservation program, particularly the preservation of historic properties associated with African-American history that engage the core principles of values-centered preservation theory described by Mason. The National Register of Historic Places: Multiple Property Documentation Form for African-American Historic Resources in Prince George’s County, Maryland, will be evaluated in relation to its promotion of values-centered preservation planning principles. Other initiatives organized by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission that embody a valuesbased approach to the preservation of African-American historic resources will also be discussed.
It's Not Ugly, It's the Recent Past: Looking Beyond the Aesthetics of Modern Architecture Within Historic Preservation
(2008-05) Tober, Joy
Preservationists constantly face new challenges in their pursuit to preserve America’s built heritage. Among those challenges is the recent past, which has been gaining a great deal of interest over the years. The “recent past” is a term used to refer to historic resources younger than 50 years old. Although hard for many to think of as historic, these resources do give us insight into our past and are an important part of our tangible history. Unfortunately, preservation of the recent past has proven very difficult. Underage resources face many of the same obstacles as “traditional” properties, but also must contend with unique challenges. Aesthetic challenges are by far the most important. Negative perceptions of mid-century modern architecture as well as current assessment methods, which rely heavily on architectural values to narrate our past, hinder opportunities to better understand the importance of these valuable yet vulnerable resources. By recognizing these hindrances we can begin exploring new ways of determining a significance that better reflects the principles of the modern movement.
Preserving the Imagined Past: Reconstructions and the National Park Service
(2008-05) Ries, Elizabeth S.
The National Park Service (NPS) has been a consistent leader in cultural resource management and historic preservation for almost 100 years. Along with historic structures, the NPS is responsible for the management and maintenance of reconstructed structures. Reconstructions, or the “imagined” past, have been contested over the years in terms of their authenticity and interpretive value. While the question of reconstructions continues to be debated, the NPS must contend with over 200 reconstructed features within the nation’s park system. This paper provides a critical examination of the contemporary issues related to maintaining the “imagined” built environment. Working from examples at three national parks, physical factors are addressed, as well as how the age of the reconstruction affects the planning and methods of maintenance of each resource. Conclusions integrate the maintenance issues facing the NPS with the future, long term preservation implications of using reconstructions to interpret the American past.
Historic Windows and New Views: Energy Performance and Economic Concerns Affecting the Preservation of Historic Wood Sash Windows
(2008-05) Stasiulatis, Suzanne
New approaches regarding the economics and energy performance of replacement windows are affecting the fate of wood sash windows in historic properties. Recently, the APVA Preservation Virginia added historic wood windows to their 11 Most Endangered List, because of some disturbing trends in window replacement. The current vogue for replacement is driven by both economics and energy performance. Many believe the only solution is purchasing new windows. While replacement window manufacturers and dealers often tout their products as inexpensive and more energy efficient, in actuality original or historic windows can perform to the same standards. Cost analysis suggests that costs associated with replacement options compare to the costs associated with maintenance and repair of original windows. This project confronts the current issues of economics and energy performance, which are driving decisions to replace instead of preserve historic windows. This study demonstrates that historic windows can be maintained and upgraded to energy performance standards and still be economical. The goal of this project is to provide guidance for homeowners, project leaders, and government agencies, in terms of the decision making process regarding the treatment of historic windows.
Historic Schools in Washington, DC: Preserving a Rich Heritage
(2008-05) Harris, Gabriela P.
Struggles for racial equality in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere have often taken place in the public school arena, even after school segregation was abolished. Public schools anchored their communities, turned children into citizens, acted as a social equalizer by assimilating generations of immigrants, and ultimately integrated African Americans into full membership in American society. Given how much public schools contributed to the cohesiveness of the nation, and Washington, D.C. in particular, it is alarming to see how neglected historic schools have become. This study is an attempt to raise awareness of the rich history of these structures and to offer recommendations on how to deal with their use and care so these irreplaceable resources can remain part of the communities they served. Once historic resources are gone, they can never be replaced and too often the preservation of important school buildings succumbs to short term goals and financial crises. More consistent policies are required that recognize and respect the important heritage of Washington, D.C.’s historic schools.
Sotterly: The Search for Access
(2008-12) Burch, Leah
The incorporation of the needs of the disabled into the uses of historic properties is not a new concept, but it is an ever-evolving one. As the public understanding of disabilities becomes greater, professionals in the field of historic preservation must remain educated and involved in the discussion. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a disability is anything that alters, temporarily or permanently, a major life function of an individual, including “performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.”1 A disability may include a person with a physical or mental impairment, or a person with limited sight, shortness of breath, or an illness like diabetes. These challenges must be taken into account when considering the use of an historic property, particularly one that serves a public function. The focus of this paper will be Sotterley Plantation in southern Maryland, a site operated as an historic house museum and outdoor educational and recreational public facility. Barriers to both physical and programmatic access will be identified and recommendations will be given for better incorporation of accessible use. Sotterley faces challenges similar to any historic site- how can the defining characteristics that make it so unique be protected while at the same time providing a fair opportunity for those with disabilities to experience it? It is vital for the longevity of our valued historic resources that the public use and appreciate these sites, and our disabled population deserves the same privilege. And yet poorly planned designs and lack of participation from interested parties in the past have met with less than successful results; designs that serve neither the user nor the resource. Keeping the discussion open between preservation and accessibility professionals is the first step in overcoming errors in access. The next is to follow a process of identifying access barriers and proposing solutions, with the goal in mind of protecting the historic resource to the greatest degree possible. This paper provides a model for how to strategically plan for access at a site like Sotterley. 1 United States Department of Justice. Department of Justice. Code of Federal Regulations. 1994.
The Bryant Street Pumping Station and the McMillan Park Reservoir Historic District: a question of boundaries
(2009-05) Kockritz, Justin; Linebaugh, Donald W.
The McMillan Park Reservoir and Filtration Plant in northwest Washington, D.C., are rightfully designated as a local historic district, recognizing both their unique design and important role in the development and modernization of the city. However, the adjacent Bryant Street Pumping Station, an engineering marvel and Beaux Arts monument in its own right, and a resource which shares much of McMillan Park’s historical signifi cance, is excluded from the boundaries of the neighboring historic district. By researching the development of the national capital’s water system, the history of the pumping station, and the process of designating McMillan Park, this project identifi es why the Bryant Street Pumping Station was not considered a contributing element to the historic district. Understanding how these boundaries were initially drawn is key to ensuring that all potentially contributing elements are properly considered in the future, and ultimately lead to a greater appreciation for and preservation of the historic water infrastructure system of Washington.
Establishing a federal homeowners tax credit
(2009-05) Merrifield, Kelly; Linebaugh, Donald W.
After years of disinvestment in urban neighborhoods the federal government needs to create policies to encourage revitalization of these areas that have been neglected for decades. The benefits of such policies include economic growth and sustainable development. A federal historic homeowners’ tax credit can be used to help spur urban revitalization in the United States by making reinvestment in urban areas more affordable for middle class residents. Although never passed, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Action proposed the Historic Homeowners’ Assistance Act (from 1993-2001) that would create a federal homeowners’ tax credit. This paper explores the benefits of reintroducing the Historic Homeowners’ Assistance Act, and how it can be improved to make the tax credit more usable for middle income homeowners.
Historic buildings and contemporary additions: the elements of a cohesive design relationship
(2009-05) Guzmán-Torres, Zasha; Linebaugh, Donald W.
With the rapid evolution of our lifestyles and the development of new technologies, it is important to find a way where old and new elements of the built environment can be represented in the future in a balanced way. Because the relationship between historic buildings and contemporary additions has always been a tension in the historic preservation field, this essay will analyze the relationship between old and new and seek to identify the proper balance between the two and explore its value for architecture and preservation. Key elements that allows historic buildings and contemporary additions to work cohesively, respecting and promoting each other’s architectural and cultural significance, are carefully examined. Historic research, surveys, and case study analysis are utilized to seek out specific design elements and patterns that can lead to the success or failure of the union between old and new.
Saving Santanoni: balancing historic preservation and environmental conservation in Adirondack Park
(2009-05) Bowling, Matt; Linebaugh, Donald W.
Great Camp Santanoni is an approximately thirty two acre historic site located in New York State’s Adirondack Park. A National Historic Landmark, it is one of only three publicly‐owned historic sites within Adirondack Park, the other two being John Brown’s Farm and Crown Point. Despite Santanoni’s unique local, regional, and national significance as an architectural masterpiece and a cultural symbol of late nineteenth‐century attitudes, its future remains startlingly uncertain. When New York State purchased the 12,900‐acre Santanoni Preserve in 1972, the fate of the great camp was in jeopardy due to the “forever wild” provision in Article XIV of the New York State Constitution. This provision requires that state‐owned lands within Adirondack Park are to be kept “forever wild”. It is a mandate that has been interpreted by some to mean the eradication of all human‐made structures situated on public lands. Ultimately, Great Camp Santanoni was saved from demolition and starting in the early 1990s, after nearly twenty years of abandonment and neglect, efforts to preserve and restore the great camp were launched and continue today. The full story surrounding the preservation and restoration of Santanoni is told in this paper. It is a story that demonstrates a significantly larger problem, the need for finding equilibrium between historic preservation and environmental conservation in Adirondack Park. Culture and nature need not be mutually exclusive and any attempt to make them totally separate from one another is artificial. If Adirondack Park is truly to be a model for how humans can live and interact with nature, then a better balance between historic preservation and environmental conservation must be achieved in regard to publicly-owned historic resources located there.
Is historic preservation really smart growth? A critical examination of historically automobile-oriented suburbs such as Silver Spring, Maryland
(2009-05) Dorman, Alice; Linebaugh, Donald W.
Many in the preservation community argue that Historic Preservation is Smart Growth, but this argument does not take into account all types of historic resources, especially those that were developed in response to the automobile. Elements of these automobile-oriented developments of the 1920s-1940s in America do not always correspond as well with the principles of the Smart Growth movement as those of the more traditional historic communities do. This paper examines the ten smart growth principles both in relation to historic preservation in general, as well as to historic resources that were developed with the automobile in mind. Silver Spring, Maryland is used as a case study; the town represents a historic resource type that was automobile-oriented yet had some traditional development design features. Communities that are of this historic resource type, such as Silver Spring, have great potential for integrating the historic resources into successful Smart Growth style developments.

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