Cultural Landscape Report for Aspet, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Volume III: Treatment & Record of Treatment

Brown, Margie; Beagan, Christopher; Haenraets, Jan

Two volumes of the Cultural Landscape Report for Aspet precede this document, Volume I: Site History and Volume II: Recent History, Existing Conditions, and Analysis. Volume I addresses the history of the landscape as it evolved during its ownership by Augustus Saint-Gaudens from 1885 until 1907, by his wife Augusta until 1926, by the Saint-Gaudens Memorial until 1965, and through National Park Service ownership until 1992. Volume II expands upon a previous draft context study and analysis, describes major changes to Aspet between 1992 and 2009, provides an overview of the property’s historic significance according to National Register of Historic Places criteria, and evaluates the integrity of landscape characteristics and features that contribute to its significance. Since publication of Volume II, National Register documentation was updated in 2012. This third volume provides treatment guidelines for the stewardship of cultural landscapes as outlined in the National Park Service Cultural Resource Management Guideline (1997) and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (1996). The treatment framework incorporates a study drafted in 1995 by Marion Pressley and Cynthia Zaitzevsky entitled, Cultural Landscape Report, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Phase III: Landscape Management Options. The authors recommended preservation as the primary treatment because of the overall good condition, historical integrity, and number of extant features. The site’s 1996 General Management Plan likewise articulates a preservation philosophy for the landscape, as well as artwork, buildings, and structures. The treatment approach presented in this document revisits the recommendations compiled by Pressley and Zaitzevsky in 1995 and the action plan outlined in the General Management Plan, while also elaborating in greater detail to address principles, guidelines, and specific recommendations for the long-term management of the historic landscape. Specifically, the report addresses the following objectives: Review treatment alternatives and direction provided by the General Management Plan Consolidate relevant information from existing planning documents and input from park staff, trustees, and interested parties to develop a preferred treatment approach, identify issues, and alternative solutions Present guiding treatment principles for the overall landscape, guidelines for areas within the landscape, and specific treatment recommendations to be implemented over the next ten to fifteen years Provide documentation to support park consultation responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Several other resource management documents have been recently completed or are in progress, including the Archeological Overview and Assessment of the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (2006), historic structures reports for several buildings on the property, and cultural landscape reports and cultural landscape inventories for the Blow-Me-Down Mill, Blow-Me-Down Farm, and the Saint-Gaudens Farm. In collaboration with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, the Olmsted Center also prepared a Hedge Management Plan for Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (2008).

Cultural Landscape Report for Aspet, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Volume III: Treatment & Record of Treatment

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