Preservation Case Study: Maymont Park - The Italian Garden
Starke BW. 1980. Preservation Case Study: Maymont Park - The Italian Garden. Cultural Landscape Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Washington, DC
Prepared by Barry W. Starke, ASLA, of Earth Design Associates, the historic structure report was submitted through the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission to Technical Preservation Services as part of the Maymont Foundation's application for historic preservation grant-in-aid funds. The report, together with Mr. Starke's drawings and specifications, were reviewed and approved by the division prior to the commencement of project work. A well-thought out plan establishes a reasonable scope of work to best use limited grant funds, and it creates a responsible approach to the project work based upon historical, architectural, and archeological documentation. The excerpted historic structure report on Maymont Park's Italian garden that constitutes the focus of this case study represents precisely such a well-organized plan for project work and it is this responsible planning process that the report aims to emphasize. The Maymont Park case study duplicates the landscape architect's three-part historic structure report format: 1) The Italian garden's original configuration is first described, based on historical research. Examples of the original drawings as well as the only known historic photographs of the garden are included; 2) The garden's present condition is next described after a thorough physical examination has been conducted. A series of excellent photographs point out stabilization and restoration problems; and finally 3) Priorities are established and specific recommendations for stabilization/restoration project work are made. Both the drawings and specifications for the main areas of project work are included (the specifications appear as appendix A). Maymont, a 100-acre site on Virginia's James River that includes a 3-story residence of broken course sandstone, several outbuildings, and a terraced "Italian garden" complete with pergola, was built in 1890 by Major James H. Dooley and later given to the city of Richmond for use as a public park and museum.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Starke, Barry
- Date of Issue
- 1980
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- CRPS
- Keywords
- case study, grant, heritage conservation and recreation service, historic preservation fund, Italian garden, preservation case study, TPS