About the Program

Park Historic Structures

Park Cultural Landscapes

Prehistoric and historic structures include buildings and monuments, dams, millraces and canals, stockcades and fences, defensive works, temple mounds and kivas, ruins of all structural types, and outdoor sculpture.

Cultural landscapes are complex resources that range from large rural tracts covering several acres to formal gardens of less than an acre. The character of a cultural landscapes is defined both by physical materials, such as roads, buildings, walls, and vegetation, and by use reflecting cultural values and traditions. These servicewide efforts are manifested:

• through research to develop an adequate information base for the preservation of these resources;
• through planning to consider the values of these resources prior to assignment of use and determination of treatment;
• and through stewardship to protect these resources for the next generation with no loss of integrity.

The Washington office Park Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes Program provides leadership, oversight, coordination and strategic planning for strengthening and expanding the program; coordinates inventory and research efforts; provides technical information and advice; and organizes and participates in training opportunities.