Cultural Landscape Report: Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site

Hankinson, Michael

The scope of work for the CLR was developed by park and regional cultural resources staff in 2003. Primary work on the CLR was completed by a historical landscape architect from the regional office in coordination with park management, maintenance and resource staff. Because much of the landscape history has been compiled, no new historical research was undertaken for this report. Rather, the CLR focuses on the analysis of historic and existing information in order to evaluate the significance of the landscape and identify resources contributing to the historical significance of the site. Research materials used in this report, including journals, diaries, and historic photographs are located in the park collection at the site. Field documentation to record existing conditions and identify plant materials currently on the site was conducted in two site visits during the course of the CLR project. The CLR for Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site is divided into two parts. Part I includes the Management Summary, Existing Conditions, Site History, and Analysis and Evaluation of landscape characteristics and features. Existing Conditions describes the landscape as it exists today, and includes the documentation of landscape characteristics such as vegetation, circulation, and buildings and structures. The Site History describes the physical development of the cultural landscape by key time periods, as well as the design intent associated with implementation of the landscape plans. The Analysis and Evaluation describes the landscape characteristics and features comprising the cultural landscape, and indicates what features retain integrity in terms of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Part II of the CLR includes overall treatment strategies and recommendations for preservation of the historic designed landscape based on the analysis and evaluation of significant resources. The treatment section describes specific actions that can be taken to restore the physical appearance and material character of the designed landscape to the O’Neill era, by removing elements that are not historic and reestablishing features and materials that comprised the landscape as designed and implemented by the O’Neills between 1937 and 1944. All treatments proposed in Part II of the CLR are developed in compliance with the guidelines established by the National Park Service DO-28: Cultural Resource Management Guidelines (1997), Guide to Cultural Landscape Reports: Contents, Process, and Techniques (1998), and The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment Historic Properties, with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural landscapes (1996).

Cultural Landscape Report: Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site

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