Judd Gardens: Cultural Landscape Report, Shenandoah National Park, National Park Service

Land and Community Associates

The purpose of the Judd Gardens Cultural Landscape Report is both to evaluate the historic significance and integrity of the Judd Gardens and to provide recommendations of its future management. Although the Judd Gardens were privately developed, today they are part of the public landscape of the Shenandoah National Park. Any management direction and decisions must recognize the problems inherent in using a site such as Judd Gardens as an interpreted cultural landscape and strive to mitigate the impacts of visitors and visitor services. This document, a cultural landscape report, originally was designed and contracted as a historic structure report. After discussions between the Cultural Resources Division of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the National Park Service (NPS), the Shenandoah National Park administration, and Land and Community Associates, the decision was made to treat the Judd Gardens study as a cultural landscape report. The Judd Gardens Cultural Landscape Report contains four major sections: Management Summary History of Skyland and the Judd Gardens Analysis and Evaluation RecommendationsThe second part of the report dealing with analysis and evaluation is based on field investigation and landscape history. This section provides the basis for the final recommendations section. Field investigations to inventory existing conditions were undertaken by Land and Community Associates personnel and project advisors on a cyclical basis from 1988 through 1990. An initial working topographic survey was prepared by NPS HABS/HAER staff in 1989. The horticultural inventory was undertaken on a continuing basis throughout the spring and summer of 1990. Both the botanical and archeological advisors made several site visits during the course of the project. Inventory and analysis mapping was developed using a multiple layer approach. Similar information is plotted on separate layers. This allows for the easy integration and analysis of information for planning and design purposes. It also allows for a separate layer to be prepared to document future changes in the gardens. This is extremely important in providing for the ongoing record of treatment. Section IV Recommendations of the Judd Gardens CLR builds on the landscape history and the analysis and evaluation sections of the report. The recommended overall management philosophy is to facilitate the long-term preservation and interpretation of the garden through a multi-phased preservation/stabilization approach for the whole, while focusing on rehabilitation for selected areas of the Gardens.

Judd Gardens: Cultural Landscape Report, Shenandoah National Park, National Park Service

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