Cultural Landscape Report for Victory Woods, Saratoga NHP

Stevens, Christopher; White, Linda; Griswold, William; Coffie Brown, Margie

Located in the Village of Victory within the Town of Saratoga, in the heights above the Hudson River, Victory Woods contains a portion of the British field fortification and encampment from the Revolutionary War. Historical evidence indicates that this site has remained largely undisturbed since the war. Due to the sensitive nature of the archeological remains in this portion of the park, two reports will be produced for the first stage of the project. This first volume is the combined Cultural Landscape Report and Archeological Sensitivity Assessment (CLR/ASA) and contains archeological information suitable for public and government distribution. This project will provide critical landscape and archeological research to inform thoughtful future resource management and treatment decisions. This volume includes Site History, Existing Conditions, Analysis and Evaluation, and Treatment. The Existing Conditions section includes a narrative description, photographs and a site plan, which document and classify the major categories of landscape characteristics and features. The existing conditions site plan is based on both site visits and the topographic and feature survey prepared for the Victory Woods rehabilitation project. The earthen fortification features remaining from Burgoyne's Revolutionary War campaign in Victory Woods had not been adequately documented until now, and one of the biggest challenges concerning their preservation concerned vandalism inflicted by looters. The Analysis and Evaluation reiterates the current National Register of Historic Places status, and documents the period of significance associated with the events and persons of the American Revolution. The physical integrity of the landscape characteristics and features is evaluated to understand the site’s condition and alterations over time. Through research, archeologically sensitive areas are identified. Future archeological investigations will use the information contained within the combined CLR/ASA to focus research. The evaluation of character defining features is detailed to aid the park with future Section 106 consultation responsibilities. By comparing the historic condition with the existing conditions of landscape characteristics and features, the report presents a list of characteristics and features that contribute or do not contribute to the historic character of the site. The Treatment section addresses the issues associated with protecting the significant cultural and natural resources within the Victory Woods property and provides recommendations for the long-term management of the cultural landscape. According to National Park Service policy, this report provides the supporting documentation to guide the treatment of the landscape and is needed before any major intervention. For the Victory Woods property, the treatment plan provides guidance on visitor circulation and accessibility, earthworks preservation, waysides and interpretation, viewshed and vegetation management, and connections to other historic sites. The overall goal of the treatment recommendations is to reinforce the National Park Service’s sound stewardship of cultural landscapes as outlined in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (1996).

Cultural Landscape Report for Victory Woods, Saratoga NHP

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