Minute Man National Historical Park: Cultural Landscape Report, Minute Man National Historical Park, National Park Service
Fabos JG, Ahern J, Gavrin BJ, Rasmussen M, METLAND Research Group, Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, University of Mass., Amherst, Donahue B, Coli W. 1993. Minute Man National Historical Park: Cultural Landscape Report, Minute Man National Historical Park, National Park Service. NPS Northeast Regional Office. Boston/Northeast Regional Office
This study is driven by the planned rehabilitation of the cultural landscape of Minute Man National Historical Park (NHP), located in the Concord-Lexington area of eastern Massachusetts. The rehabilitation of the landscape will be guided by a Cultural Landscape Management Plan developed by the National Park Service (NPS) and the METLAND Research Group, Department of Landscape Architecture of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This plan will address the identification and management of the cultural, agricultural, and natural resources of the Park. In addressing the identification, assessment, and management of these resources now, the Cultural Landscape Management Plan can successfully guide the rehabilitation of a landscape known world-wide for its role in the birth of this country. The Minute Man NHP is particularly significant for the events of April 19, 1775, when Colonial farmers attacked retreating British soldiers along a stretch of country road now called the “Battle Road.” Locations and features along this route, many of which are still evident, mark important actions in the battle that launched the American Revolution. The area is important as an agricultural cultural landscape, with many traces of field patterns, stone walls, and barns from before the time of the battle. Since the park’s creation in 1959, the focus has been upon interpreting the cultural and historic elements as a part of the landscape. This report follows 1992 legislation that officially added to the core mission of Minute Man NHP the responsibility of preserving and interpreting the park’s historic landscape pertaining to the American Revolution. The Cultural Landscape Management Plan aims to guide programs in both cultural landscape management and interpretation. Historical research revealed intensive farming of the landscape between 1650 and 1900, and some forested areas are being changed back to fields to reflect this historic land use and appearance. Interpretive potential is assessed in agricultural reintroduction, restored buildings, stone walls, and the 1775 battle sites.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Fabos, Julius; Ahern, Jack; Gavrin, Beth; Rasmussen, Meg; METLAND Research Group; Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, University of Mass., Amherst; Donahue, Brian; Coli, William
- Date of Issue
- 1993
- Publisher
- NPS Northeast Regional Office
- Units
- MIMA , NER
- Keywords
- Agricultural Reintroduction, Agriculture, American Revolution, Battle Road, Battle Site, cultural landscape management, Historic Landscape, Interpretive Landscape, Landscape, Minute Man National Historical Park, Rehabilitation, Revolutionary War
- Subjects
- CRIS-CL: 650037: Battle Road (650037)