Cultural Landscape Report for Saratoga Battlefield, Vol. II: Treatment, Saratoga NHP

Commisso, Michael

Saratoga Battlefield provides a unique opportunity for visitors to interpret a crucial time and place in American history. The largely untouched pastoral context sets the scene for understanding the evolution and significance of the Battles of Saratoga and the Northern Campaign of 1777. Yet, Saratoga National Historical Park is faced with many challenges related to effectively interpreting the battlefield landscape, altering circulation to provide accessibility, and balancing natural and cultural values. The intent of this treatment plan is to provide direction for the long-term management of the battlefield landscape. This report defines a framework for treatment of the battlefield landscape, provides general treatment recommendations, and describes specific guidelines and tasks to enhance historic character in keeping with applicable National Park Service legislation, policies, guidelines, and planning. The report serves as the second volume of the Cultural Landscape Report for Saratoga Battlefield, building upon the site history, existing conditions, and analysis and evaluation completed in 2002 for the first volume. Specific direction on the treatment of the battlefield landscape is built largely upon the actions outlined in the park’s General Management Plan (2004). However, the draft National Register of Historic Places Nomination for Saratoga National Historical Park (2010) and Long-Range Interpretive Plan (2007) are other planning documents that inform future treatment of the battlefield. This report has been developed according to the Guide to Cultural Landscape Reports: Content, Process, and Techniques (National Park Service, 1998). The treatment guidelines and tasks are consistent with the guidelines established by the National Park Service Director’s Order 28: Cultural Resource Management (1999), NPS-28: Cultural Resource Management Guideline (1997), and The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes (1996). Research for this cultural landscape report has been undertaken at a thorough level of investigation, which includes review of all available historical resources including both primary and secondary sources. The following report is organized into three chapters. The first chapter establishes a framework for treatment based on the park’s enabling legislation, policies, guidelines, and current planning efforts. This chapter articulates the appropriate treatment philosophy and describes the intended character of the landscape, establishes a primary treatment, and sets a treatment date. The second chapter, general treatment recommendations, uses the treatment philosophy established in chapter one to discuss broad issues that affect the historic character of the landscape site-wide. The third chapter, treatment guidelines and tasks, outlines the specific efforts necessary to retain and enhance the historic character of the landscape and to improve landscape interpretation and understanding. The guidelines and tasks are organized using the management zones established in the General Management Plan. These include the Main Battle Action and Encampment Subzone, Supporting Battle Action Subzone, and Park Support Zone. The chapter concludes with a summary table of treatment tasks.

Cultural Landscape Report for Saratoga Battlefield, Vol. II: Treatment, Saratoga NHP

Series