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LANDSCAPE INTERPRETATION

Figures A and B: Archeology and restoration of the Privy Garden at Hampton Court Palace gardens, England. The project is being
interpreted to the public in the garden, an indoor exhibition and a multimedia show. The outdoor interpretive display, (above left) includes
period plans, aerial photographs and historic images that detail the histon) of the garden and current work, 1994. (courtesy
the author)

Landscape interpretation is the process of providing defining features of the past. If a landscape has high
the visitor with tools to experience the landscape as it integrity, the interpretive approach may be to direct
existed during its period of significance, or as it visitors to surviving historic features without
evolved to its present state. These tools may vary introducing obtrusive interpretive devices such as
widely, from a focus on existing features to the free-standing signs. For landscapes with a
addition of interpretive elements. These could diminished integrity, where limited or no fabric
include exhibits, self-guided brochures, or a new remains, the interpretive emphasis may be on using
representation of a lost feature. The nature of the extant features and visual aids (e.g. markers,
cultural landscape, especially its level of significance, photographs, etc.) to help visitors visualize the
integrity, and the type of visitation anticipated may resource as it existed in the past. The primary goal in
frame the interpretive approach. Landscape these situations is to educate the visitor about the
interpretation may be closely linked to the integrity landscape's historic themes, associations and lost
and condition of the landscape, and therefore, its character-defining features or broader historical,
ability to convey the historic character and character- social and physical landscape contexts.

should also be considered in the decision-making process. For all treatments, the landscape's existing conditions and
Therefore, a cultural landscape's preservation plan and the its ability to convey historic significance should be carefully
treatment selected will consider a broad array of dynamic considered. For example, the life work, design philosophy
and interrelated considerations. It will often take the form and extant legacy of an individual designer should all be
of a plan with detailed guidelines or specifications. understood for a designed landscape such as an estate,
prior to treatment selection. For a vernacular landscape,
Adopting such a plan, in concert with a preservation
maintenance plan (page 18-19), acknowledges a cultural such as a battlefield containing a largely intact mid-
landscape's ever-changing existence and the nineteenth century family farm, the uniqueness of that
interrelationship of treatment and ongoing maintenance. agrarian complex within a local, regional, state, and
Performance standards, scheduling and record keeping of national context should be considered in selecting a
maintenance activities on a day-to-day or month-to-month treatment.
basis, may then be planned for. Treatment, management, The overall historic preservation approach and treatment
and maintenance proposals can be developed by a broad approach can ensure the proper retention, care, and repair
range of professionals and with expertise in such fields as of landscapes and their inherent features. ll In short, the
landscape preservation, horticulture, ecology, and Standards act as a preservation and management tool for
landscape maintenance. cultural landscapes. The four potential treatments are
described in the box opposite.
The selection of a primary treatment for the landscape,
utilizing the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Landscape treatments can range from simple, inexpensive
Treatment of Historic Properties, establishes an overall preservation actions, to complex major restoration or
historic preservation approach, as well as a philosophical reconstruction projects. The progressive framework is
framework from which to operate. Selecting a treatment is inverse in proportion to the retention of historic features
based on many factors. They include management and and materials. Generally, preservation involves the least
interpretation objectives for the property as a whole, the change, and is the most respectful of historic materials. It
period(s) of significance, integrity, and condition of maintains the form and material of the existing landscape.
individual landscape features. Rehabilitation usually accommodates contemporary

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