Wes Ryals | MLA Candidate, College of Environment and Design
University of Georgia | College of Environment and Design
During the summer of 2010, the University of Georgia (UGA), College of Environment and Design (CED) initiated a
The study
is a collaborative venture of the Wormsloe Institute for Environmental History (WIEH), the UGACED, and other allied disciplines. Together, these partners are working to —an area that encompasses unique natural features, rich ethnographic landscapes, and other educational and recreational opportunities. The partnership seeks to ensure the stewardship of Wormsloe as one of America’s most treasured cultural and ecological resources for generations to come.
Work to Date 1.
Front Entrance Parcel
2.
Main Allee
3.
Old Skidaway Road
4.
Estate House and Grounds
5.
Slave Cabin Landscape
6.
Fort House Ruins
7.
Colonial Reenactment Area
8.
Long Island
estate house
1 derenne library
2 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PROPERTY
barrow family burial plot
3
FAMILY ESTATE
estate house
slave cabin visitor center
slave cabin
WORMSLOE FOUNDATION
fortified house ruins
visitor center
Remnant Slave Cabin with View of Main Access Road
From Slave Cabin Looking Towards Marsh
Looking Across Marsh to Long Island
Existing Slave Cabin
Agricultural Fields with Slave Cabins in Distance / Fenced Agricultural Fields.
Slave Cabins with Fencing.
“Aunt Liza,” Mammy at Wormsloe, Who Was Born a Slave.
1890
1909
Pre-European (Prior to 1733)
Cotton Culture (1791-1860)
Family Retreat And Tourism Period (1896-1940)
Existing Site Conditions (2010-Present)
While initial discussion has focused on the historic resources of the proposed design scenarios, Such issues include, but are not limited to, ecological and economic impacts.
1. Research Facility (50’ x50’)
2. Research Cabins (4 - 25’ x 50’) 3. Wastewater Treatment Area (Constructed Wetland) 4. Pedestrian Access Paths 5. Proposed Vehicular Entry from Oak Allee
6. Vehicular Dropoff for Access to Library 7. Potential Secondary Vehicular Access (emergency access)
Currently, emphasis has been given to evaluating the possible impacts of each design in regard to the holistic integrity of the Wormsloe cultural landscape. However,
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Knowing the interest in achieving World Heritage status for Wormsloe, a rigorous process must be undertaken to analyze not only this research facility site, but its relation and the overall multi-cultural resources on the entire Wormsloe property.
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In order to evaluate the level of impact for each design concept, a framework established by the National Historic Preservation Act was consulted, including criteria for the National Register of Historic Places, the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for the Treatment of (Historic) Cultural Landscapes.
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The framework has been widely accepted and used as a critical evaluation tool for Cultural Resource Management over the past 50 years.
(Cont’d) •
7 Aspects of Integrity – location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. These qualities relate to a site’s Statement of Historic Significance and its period of significance.
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Landscape Characteristics – Landscape characteristics include these aspects individually and collectively give a landscape its historic character and Landscape characteristics
(Cont’d)
Association
How easy or difficult will it be to imagine what this landscape was like in the past? Can I still associate the landscape with this history?
Design
The form, plan, space, structure, or style.
Feeling
The aesthetic or historic sense of a particular time in the past.
Location
The place where the historic construction was made, or the historic event occurred.
Material
The physical elements that were used in the construction or assembly.
Setting
The character of the surrounding physical environment.
Workmanship
The physical evidence of the artisan's labor, craft, or skill in constructing the feature.
(Cont’d)
Spatial Organization
Arrangement of elements creating the ground, vertical, and overhead planes that define and create spaces.
Topography
Three-dimensional configuration of the landscape surface characterized by features and orientation.
Vegetation
Indigenous or introduced trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, and herbaceous materials.
Circulation
Spaces, features, and materials that constitute systems of movement.
Constructed Water Features
The built features and elements that utilize water for aesthetic or utilitarian functions.
Small-Scale Features
Elements that provide detail and diversity combined with function and aesthetics.
Buildings and Structures
Three-dimensional constructs such as houses, barns, garages, stables, bridges, and memorials.
Archaeological Sites
Sites containing surface and subsurface remnants related to historic or prehistoric land use.
(Cont’d) Each landscape characteristic within each aspect of integrity was given a numerical rating based on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requirements for mitigating effects and documenting historic features. No Effect and No Adverse Effect scored a mark of 0. Adverse Effects were given a designation of 1-3 based on based on the potential level of mitigation and documentation required to resolve the adverse effect. Adverse effects can be direct or indirect and include the following: • • • • • • •
Physical destruction or damage Alteration inconsistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties Relocation of the property Change in the character of the property’s use or setting Introduction of incompatible visual, atmospheric, or audible elements Neglect and deterioration Transfer, lease, or sale of a historic property out of federal control without adequate preservation restrictions
Adverse Effect Rating System 1. 2. 3.
Minimal Effects with some mitigation and documentation required (i.e. new foot path through woods) Effects requires mitigation and documentation (i.e. adding parking areas to a historic road) Effects can’t be mitigated and documentation is only option. (i.e. new building near archaeological site)
Overall Ranking: Possible total of