Chickamauga Battlefield: Cultural Landscape Report, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, National Park Service

John Milner Associates, contractor

Based on the statement of work prepared by the National Park Service for the Chickamauga Battlefield CLR, JMA and History Matters undertook the following tasks: • Research of primary and secondary source materials relating to all cultural landscape elements of the Chickamauga Battlefield, with a focus on vegetation patterns and topography at the time of the battle. Primary research was limited to the archives of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park; • Study of the evolution of the site through the review of historic maps and photographs; • Use of field investigations and other documents to record and describe existing landscape features and produce an existing landscape feature inventory and photographic documentation of existing conditions; • Preparation of a site history, organized into identifying notable periods of landscape development based on historical research of primary and secondary source materials. Research was used to document the broad landscape characteristics and individual character-defining features of the property as it developed over time through each of the identified time periods. Overall, the focus of this research was on vegetation patterns and topography at the time of the battle. • Supporting material, in the form of historic plans and images, to illustrate the physical character, attributes, features, and materials that contribute to the significance of the landscape over its history. • Preparation of an existing conditions narrative that describes the landscape and key landscape features, which is based on both site research and site surveys, including on-site observation and documentation of significant features and their condition. Contemporary site functions, visitor services, and natural resources are described to the extent that they contribute to or influence treatment decisions. • Preparation of existing conditions base maps derived from field surveys and associated documents that identify key landscape features. • Preparation of a statement of significance, using the seven National Register criteria (location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association). This section identifies the historical contexts and also describes the periods of significance associated with the landscape). • Preparation of a comparative site analysis and evaluation. This section compares findings from the site history and existing conditions to identify the significance of landscape characteristics and features in the context of the landscape as a whole. Historic integrity is evaluated to determine if the characteristics and features that defined the landscape during the historic period are present and retain their historic qualities. • Preparation of historical base maps of the site to delineate features that survive from and contribute to the historic periods. • Preparation of treatment recommendations, in the form of guidelines along with treatment recommendations maps, to provide a description of the preservation strategy for the long-term management of the cultural landscape based on its significance, existing condition, and use. • Preparation of a bibliography of source materials utilized to develop the CLR. Methodology The CLR for Chickamauga Battlefield has several objectives. The first is to document the historical development of the site’s cultural landscape, determining how the landscape has changed over time, and determining the date or period of origin of existing landscape features. The CLR will also evaluate the cultural landscape and determine how it contributes to the site’s historical significance.

Chickamauga Battlefield: Cultural Landscape Report, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, National Park Service

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