Rediscovering the forest : the effective use of historic contexts in preservation planning
Abstract
The National Park Service regards the use of historic contexts as a foundation
for the preservation planning process, yet there appears to be a disconnect between
the creation of historic contexts and their use by local planners. Preliminary inquiries
suggest that the role of contexts in the planning process is not clearly understood, and
that the purpose and usefulness of historic contexts themselves are not clear to those
that rely on them. This confusion has led many to assume that contexts are of
secondary importance, to be developed after the completion of physical resource
inventories and then only as time allows. This paper will look at the current role of
historic contexts in the preservation planning process and how their usefulness as a
framework for a broader perspective of the planning landscape may also increase the
overall effectiveness of preservation planning.
Notes
This document has had referenced material removed in respect for the owner's copyright. A complete version of this document, which includes said referenced material, resides in the University of Maryland, College Park's library collection. Masters final project submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Historic Preservation. HISP 710/711 Spring 2010.