Cultural Landscape Report for Blow-Me-Down Farm, Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park

Mealey, James; Auwaerter, John; French, Sara

A Cultural Landscape Report is the primary document for management of historically significant landscapes in the National Park System, based on established park planning. This report for Blow-Me-Down Farm, Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, has been developed according to the Guide to Cultural Landscape Reports: Contents, Process, and Techniques.4 and comprises Part I (Site History, Existing Conditions, Analysis and Evaluation) and Part II (Treatment Recommendations) of the typical Cultural Landscape Report format. A selected reference list and appendices are included at the end of the report. The Blow-Me-Down Farm landscape preserves the core of the Beaman Estate that historically encompassed upwards of two thousand acres along the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, north of the Cornish-Windsor Bridge. The project area for this report encompasses 42.6 acres between the Connecticut River and NH Route 12A. This parcel, which has been documented as the Blow-Me-Down Farm component of the park’s Cultural Landscape Inventory, contains the former Beaman residence, farm buildings, and working agricultural fields. Overall, research for this Cultural Landscape Report has been undertaken at a “thorough” level of investigation as defined by the National Park Service.6 Primary sources include the Beaman farm journal, Blowmedown Record; historic maps and photos stored in the park archives, retrieved online, and held by Beaman descendants; and traces in the existing farm landscape. Park reports, including Historic Structure Reports, an Archaeological Overview and Assessment, National Register of Historic Places documentation, and a Cultural Landscape Inventory for Blow-Me-Down Farm were the principal secondary sources used to inform the site history. Existing conditions were documented through use of the park’s GIS data and field survey. Research supporting landscape treatment recommendations included a detailed review of park planning and other framework documents. Additionally, a remote workshop was held with park staff on December 16, 2020, to refine treatment goals, philosophy, and preliminary task recommendations.

Cultural Landscape Report for Blow-Me-Down Farm, Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park

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