Jefferson National Expansion Memorial: Cultural Landscape Report, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, National Park Service

Bellavia, Regina; Bleam, Gregg

This Cultural Landscape Report for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is intended to provide site managers with a comprehensive, detailed history of the designed landscape and its character-defining features, and recommendations for future planning decisions. It was produced as a collaborative effort between the Cultural Resources Division, Midwest Field Area, and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Landscape architect Gregg Bleam was hired to consult on the project and prepare a report documenting the early history and the design evolution under a separate contract. An analysis of the design intent was completed under contract with Gregg Bleam, Landscape Architect. Mr. Bleam is a licensed landscape architect and scholar who worked for Dan Kiley and has studied Kiley’s design philosophy and career. He reviewed plans written documentation at the former office of Eero Saarinen and Associates and at Dan Kiley’s office, and also conducted oral interviews with former associates of both Saarinen and Kiley. His analysis of the design evolution is an invaluable addition to this report. The primary author, JEFF historical Landscape Architect Regina Bellavia, reviewed archival documentation at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Collections reviewed include drawings and specifications, Superintendent’s monthly reports, correspondence of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association (JNEMA), photographs, and other written material. The extensive collection of photographs of Arteaga Photos Ltd. documenting the construction of the Arch were reviewed. In addition, the author reviewed materials at the Denver Service Center, Technical Information Center (DSC/TIC) of the National Park Service (NPS). Oral interviews were conducted with people associated with construction of the site. The information gathered, combined with the written and photographic documentation in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial archives (hereafter referred to as the JNEM Archives), was compiled and summarized to form the basis for the treatment recommendations. A field inventory of existing conditions and landscape features was conducted by Regina Bellavia and season Landscape Architecture Assistant Julie Barham in the summer of 1995. An extensive tree inventory was completed and will be recorded in visually oriented data management system. The existing conditions inventory was based on AutoCAD generated maps produced under separated contract for the purposes of this project in 1995. The AutoCAD files were also used to produce period plans. JEFF Civil Engineer Gargar Chan was responsible for manipulating the data under supervision of the author.

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial: Cultural Landscape Report, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, National Park Service

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