Creating Contexts and Using Multiple Property Documentation Forms

Editor's Notes

• #2: We’ve gone over “Context” development in previous CRE training sessions, so today my part of this presentation is going to focus more on “best practices” for actually applying the context statements, and MPDFs, we already have. Before we get to those examples, for the new folks in the room that aren’t familiar with our jargon, let’s go over a few things quickly.
• #3: What is a context and how is it used? We expect all Resource Survey Forms to provide us with some context to help us evaluate whether a resource is eligible for the NR and then even more context in the NR nom itself.From Barbara Wyatt’s paper: “The evaluation of properties for National Register eligibility involves an assessment of the significance of a property in terms of the history of the relevant geographical area, the history of associated historical themes or subjects, and within an historical and contemporary time frame—in other words, its context. The context in a listed MPDF should not be repeated in related nominations, although salient aspects should be summarized. Because the MPDF is considered the model for context development, this paper may seem like instructions for that form. In fact, individual nominations not related to an MPDF should contain a context that is essentially a microcosm of an MPDF context. Historic contexts should be considered a summary document, not a thesis. They should present relevant information, and avoid extraneous information. The author needs to evaluate what is relevant and understand that mere length does not lend credence to a subject.”
• #7: Visit our website for the entire list of contexts to date; some are available to view online, others can be requested from our office.
• #8: Some chapters of the Agricultural Context are available now through our website, others are being completed and will be available later this year.
• #9: These are the regions/chapters completed so far.
• #10: They are based on recent fieldwork, geographic regions, and historic data.
• #11: The overall document includes an Intro & User’s Guide; a chapter about Pennsylvania’s agriculture during the settlement period (there wasn’t much variety at that time); chapters about each of the identified regions; property types and registration requirements; and a bibliography.Each regional chapter is divided into subheadings that follow this format: a description of the location (counties included within), the physical distinctions that create the region, and period overviews (usually three periods) that extend from the end of the settlement period up to 1960. The Period Overviews describe trends in products; labor, tenancy, and gender roles; buildings and landscapes.
• #12: We’re going to look more closely at this region, and one particular farm.
• #13: The context chapter for the Allegheny Plateau provides an overview of the trends typically found here, and will include some charts and tabulations.
• #14: It will also include historic and current images of the typical (and not-so typical) types of buildings found within the region.
• #15: Materials were drawn from local historical societies, county ag extension offices, and other sources—especially helpful for some regions were the FSA, WPA, and other program documentation efforts that can be found online through the Library of Congress’s website.
• #16: The Schrot Farm is within the region. The family has a wealth of documentation, which we seldom ever are lucky enough to have available in our “regular” projects. But even without their private family records, other information that can be found locally or online is often enough to give us an understanding of how a property fits into the larger context. Schrot Farm Overview:
• #17: We really appreciate current aerial views, taken from some distance for perspective . . . . . (potential for district? Setting?) . . . . . .
• #18: As well as close-ups. These aerial photos can be used to help define property boundaries.
• #19: And they can also sometimes show great detail. Even in areas where “birds-eye” views aren’t available, we can still see truck patches or large vegetable plots, evidence of a farm lane, orchard remnants, the relationship of the house to the outbuildings . . . .
• #20: Site plans should also note landscape features, as well as buildings.
• #21: For farms and large resources, it’s often helpful to provide inset or close-up plans so that details are easier to read.
• #22: So let’s talk about the region quickly, and see how the Schrot farm fits.
• #23: To read the chapter covering the Allegheny Mountains Plateau Region, visit our website.
• #24: standard PA barn & variants, three-gable barn, basement barn, & English barn;
• #33: http://www.pennpilot.psu.edu/Penn Pilot, a project sponsored by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, is an online library of digital historical aerial photography for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Using the interactive map provided on this website, you can browse, view, and download thousands of photos covering the Commonwealth from 1937 to 1942 and 1967 to 1972. The photos were produced by the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Adjustment Administration (now known as the Farm Service Agency).
• #40: See the BHP Railroads of Pennsylvania Guidelines http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/research_tools/20176/guidelines_for_documenting_and_evaluating_railroads/943356