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project experience. Professionals may have expertise in
landscape architecture, history, landscape archeology, CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORTS
forestry, agriculture, horticulture, pomology, pollen
analysis, planning, architecture, engineering (civil, A Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) is the primary
structural, mechanical, traffic), cultural geography, wildlife, report that documents the history, significance and
ecology, ethnography, interpretation, material and object treatment of a cultural landscape. A CLR evaluates
conservation, landscape maintenance and management. the history and integrity of the landscape including
Historians and historic preservation professionals can bring any changes to its geographical context, features,
expertise in the history of the landscape, architecture, art, materials, and use.
industry, agriculture, society and other subjects. Landscape
CLR's are often prepared when a change (e.g. a new
preservation teams, including on-site management teams
visitor's center or parking area to a landscape) is
and independent consultants, are often directed by a
proposed. In such instances, a CLR can be a useful
landscape architect with specific expertise in landscape tool to protect the landscape'S character-defining
preservation. It is highly recommended that disciplines features from undue wear, alteration or loss. A CLR
relevant to the landscapes' inherent features be represented can provide managers, curators and others with
as well.
information needed to make management decisions.
Additional guidance may be obtained from State Historic
A CLR will often yield new information about a
Preservation Offices, local preservation commissions, the
landscape's historic significance and integrity, even
National Park Service, local and state park agencies,
for those already listed on the National Register.
national and state chapters of the American Society of
Where appropriate, National Register files should be
Landscape Architects, the Alliance for Historic Landscape
amended to reflect the new findings.
Preservation, the National Association of Olmsted Parks,
and the Catalog of Landsca~e Records in the United States
at Wave Hill among others.
These steps can result in several products including a
A range of issues may need to be addressed when Cultural Landscape Report (also known as a Historic
conSidering how a particular cultural landscape should be Landscape Report), statements for management,
treated. This may include the in-kind replacement of interpretive guide, maintenance guide and maintenance
declining vegetation, reproduction of furnishings, records.
rehabilitation of structures, accessibility provisions for
people with disabilities, or the treatment of industrial Historical Research
properties that are rehabilitated for new uses. Research is essential before undertaking any treatment.
Findings will help identify a landscape's historic period(s)
Preservation Planning for Cultural of ownership, occupancy and development, and bring
Landscapes greater understanding of the associations and
characteristics that make the landscape or history
Careful planning prior to undertaking work can help significant. Research findings provide a foundation to
prevent irrevocable damage to a cultural landscape. make educated decisions for work, and can also facilitate
Professional techniques for identifying, documenting, ongoing maintenance and management operations,
evaluating and preserving cultural landscapes have interpretation and eventual compliance requirements.
advanced during the past 25 years and are continually
being refined. Preservation planning generally involves the A variety of primary and secondary sources may be
following steps: historical research; inventory and consulted. Primary archival sources can include historic
documentation of existing conditions; site analysis and plans, surveys, plats, tax maps, atlases, U. S. Geological
evaluation of integrity and significance; development of a Survey maps, soil profiles, aerial photographs,
cultural landscape preservation approach and treatment photographs, stereoscopic views, glass lantern slides,
plan; development of a cultural landscape management postcards, engravings, paintings, newspapers, journals,
construction drawings, specifications, plant lists, nursery
plan and management philosophy; the development of a
strategy for ongoing maintenance; and preparation of a catalogs, household records, account books and personal
record of treatment and future research recommendations. correspondence. Secondary sources include monographs,
published histories, theses, National Register forms, survey
The steps in this process are not independent of each other, data, local preservation plans, state contexts and scholarly
nor are they always sequential. In fact, information gathered articles. (See Figures 5-7, page 4.)
in one step may lead to a re-examination or refinement of
previous steps. For example, field inventory and historical Contemporary documentary resources should also be
research are likely to occur simultaneously, and may reveal consulted. This may include recent studies, plans, surveys,
unnoticed cultural resources that should be protected. aerial and infrared photographs, Soil Conservation Service
soil maps, inventories, investigations and interviews. Oral
The treatment and management of cultural landscape histories of residents, managers, and maintenance
should also be considered in concert with the management personnel with a long tenure or historical association can be
of an entire historic property. As a result, many other valuable sources of information about changes to a
studies may be relevant. They include management plans, landscape over many years. (Figures 8-9, page 4) For
interpretive plans, exhibit design, historic structures properties listed in the National Register, nomination forms
reports, and other. should be consulted.

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