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retained, while changes that are not significant, yet do not
encroach upon or erode character may also be maintained.
Preservation entails the essential operations to safeguard
existing resources. (Figures 27-28)
Rehabilitation is often selected in response to a
contemporary use or need-ideally such an approach is
compatible with the landscape's historic character and
historic use. Rehabilitation may preserve existing fabric
along with introducing some compatible changes, new
additions and alterations. Rehabilitation may be desirable
at a private residence in a historic district where the
homeowner's goal is to develop an appropriate landscape
treatment for a front yard, or in a public park where a
support area is needed for its maintenance operations.
(Figures 29-31)
When the most important goal is to portray a landscape and
its character-defining features at an exact period of time,
restoration is selected as the primary treatment. Unlike
preservation and rehabilitation, interpreting the landscape's
continuum or evolution is not the objective. Restoration
may include the removal of features from other periods
and/ or the construction of missing or lost features and
materials from the reconstruction period. In all cases,
treatment should be substantiated by the historic research
findings and existing conditions documentation.
Restoration and reconstruction treatment work should
avoid the creation of a landscape whose features did not
exist historically. For example, if features from an earlier
period did not co-exist with extant features from a later
period that are being retained, their restoration would not
be appropriate. (Figures 32-34)
In rare cases, when evidence is sufficient to avoid
conjecture, and no other property exists that can adequately
explain a certain period of history, reconstruction may be
utilized to depict a vanished landscape. The accuracy of
this work is critical. In cases where topography and the
subsurface of soil have not been disturbed, research and
existing conditions findings may be confirmed by thorough
archeological investigations. Here too, those features that
are intact should be repaired as necessary, retaining the
original historic features to the greatest extent possible. The
greatest danger in reconstruction is creating a false picture
of history.
False historicism in every treatment should be avoided.
This applies to individual features as well as the entire
landscape. Examples of inappropriate work include the
introduction of historic-looking benches that are actually a
new design, a fanciful gazebo placed in what was once an
open meadow, executing an unrealized historic design, or
designing a historic-looking landscape for a relocated
historic structure within "restoration."

Figure 32-34: Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, Missouri, is a National
Historic Landmark. The music pavilion, just north of the main drive is a
circular lawl! area with radiating walks, white marble busts of eminent
composers, walks, and curb. The area was in general decline, especially
the marble busts which were suffering from acid rain damage. Based on
the excellent documentation in nineteenth century annual reports,
postcards and photographic images, this area was recently restored.
lIlustrated above are a sample historic view, work in progress and the
completed restoration project. (courtesy Tower Grove Park)

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