Charlestown Navy Yard - Historic pavement study

Prepared by: Archetype Architecture, Inc.

This study is an investigation into the history and evolution of the pavement with recommendation for future re-paving of the Charlestown Navy Yard. The historic pavement study was initiated due to the concerns for site safety of the park. The study is an investigation into the history and evolution of the pavement with recommendation for future re-paving of the Navy Yard. The intent of the paper is to document the history of the pavement and the evolution of materials and make a series of recommendations for re-pavement. This was accomplished through archival research, light archaeological work and materials research. A number of site maps were drawn which depict the evolution of materials, the existing conditions and sub-surface conditions. The evolution of materials was depicted through 1907, 1928, 1954, 1973 and 1995 site maps. Although there were very little pre-1907 building records, maps or materials information, a series of historic photographs were used to tell the story of the evolution of materials from the mid-19th century to 1904. The existing conditions site maps depict the historic materials which can be found on the site and those which are just below the top layer of asphalt.