National Park Service. Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes. 1996.
As the most current version of the National Park Service’s guidelines, this report illustrates how to apply the four treatment standards of preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction to cultural landscapes in a way that meets the Park Service’s standards. After defining landscape terminology, the introduction provides a list of factors to consider when managing and selecting types of treatment for a cultural landscape. These include: change and continuity, significance in history, integrity of existing physical conditions, geographical context, use, archaeological resources, natural systems, maintenance, interpretation, special requirements, accessibility considerations, health and safety considerations, environmental protection requirements, and energy efficiency. Each section on the four types of treatment contains information on the Park Service’s standards and guidelines for that particular treatment. Specific examples are provided with accompanying photographs and diagrams, as well as columns of “recommended” and “not recommended” treatment proposals. In that these guidelines are meant to apply to all types of cultural landscapes, the description of each type of treatment includes the philosophical framework from which an educated decision can be made regarding the appropriateness of the treatment to a specific landscape. The manual concludes with an annotated bibliography of materials on preservation planning and treatment, as well as a directory of national organizations who are able to assist with the preservation of cultural landscapes. [C. Thomas]