Research, Master Planning, Interpretive Planning, Visitor Services, Cultural Landscape Reports, Management Plans, Preservation Services

Past Designs has been honored to work with leading preservation professionals to understand,analyze and rejuvenate some of America’s most treasured historic sites. From large estates to small New England village lots, our work has tried to maximize the impact of available preservation funds and preserve these landscape legacies using the most up to date preservation policies and technologies. Collaborating with archaeologists, building conservationists, educational professionals, contractors, staff and volunteers, we have developed long term strategic preservation plans for these landscapes that have brought them back to life for the pleasure, and the education of their visitors. Some of these projects have taken more than ten years; others have included only a day or two of consultation. Some have had extensive on-site staff; others have been led entirely by volunteers. Our work has included a gamut of preservation services: archival research, analysis of on-site physical evidence, testing for below-ground resources, cultural landscape reports, landscape assessment reports, landscape policy and philosophy statements, implementation programs and preservation plans, long term management plans and budget estimates.

We have helped to write grant proposals to fund landscape preservation efforts, and organized charrettes, lectures and day-long educational symposiums to help in these efforts. We have served as hands-on construction project supervisors and as preservation advisors or consultants to others. Using the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for landscape preservation, we have upheld these standards while meeting the practical everyday needs for funding, staffing and marketing for local non-profits. By understanding the past, assessing the present needs of the institution, and building a vision for the future, we can manage the ever-changing dynamics of the historic landscape to revitalize its soul for future generations.

Our preservation efforts have won the recognition of several notable local and national organizations including: The Garden Club of America, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Massachusetts Historic Preservation Commission, the Preservation League of New York State, the State of New Jersey Historic Preservation Awards, the Massachusetts Historic Commission, the Newport Historical Society, and Blithcwold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum.