Reinterpreting the Laurel Hill Cemetery Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
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University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Theses (Historic Preservation) Graduate Program in Historic Preservation January 2008 Reinterpreting the Laurel Hill Cemetery Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Catherine Anne Rossetti University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses Rossetti, Catherine Anne, "Reinterpreting the Laurel Hill Cemetery Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)" (2008). Theses (Historic Preservation). 112. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/112 A thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2008. Advisor: Randall Mason This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/112 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Reinterpreting the Laurel Hill Cemetery Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Abstract Laurel Hill Cemetery is an ideal candidate for an investigation of an innovative interpretation regime. It is a complex landscape that contains a wide variety of resources. Those resources cover a range of interests, holding an appeal for a broad potential audience. Importantly, the site is also recognized as one of great national and cultural significance. Formal recognition of Laurel Hill Cemetery's cultural significance and contribution ot the rural cemetery movement came when it was designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1998. It was the first cemetery in the nation to be so designated and remains today an impressive 78-acre sculpture garden and historical resource. Like so many of America's cultural resources, however, the promotion and interpretation of the Laurel Hill Cemetery is not without difficulty. Comments A thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2008. Advisor: Randall Mason This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/112 Reinterpreting the Laurel Hill Cemetery Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Catherine Ann Rossetti A THESIS in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION 2008 ______________________ ______________________ Program Chair Advisor Frank G. Matero Randall Mason Professor of Architecture Associate Professor of Architecture Dedication I dedicate this work to my mother, Marie G. Rossetti, who would surely have enjoyed this journey of discovery. She lived for her family. I dedicate this also to my father, Angelo H. Rossetti. His strength and determination are an inspiration. ii Acknowledgements First, I would like to thank my advisor, Randy Mason, for his patience and understanding throughout a very difficult year. His direction, encouragement, and thoughtfulness made climbing this mountain seem possible. It really is done. I can hardly believe it. Thanks also to my reader, Amy Hillier, for her unwavering guidance and support for my ideas and for her dedication to helping me get it right. Her enthusiasm for her work is infectious and an inspiration to those around her. I would like to express my gratitude for the many other professors with whom I’ve studied during my time at Penn. Without fail over the years, they have offered selflessly and enthusiastically to share their wisdom. It is this that I will miss the most upon graduation. I’d sign up to do it all again if it weren’t for the thesis requirement! Thank you to Mary Curtis for continuing to answer my calls over the years. With the patience of a saint, she helped me through project after project, offering design guidance and moral support. I gratefully share this accomplishment with you. Most importantly, thank you to my family. Without your patience and understanding, this adventure would not have been possible. No more homework. Time to peek over the horizon. iii Table of Contents DEDICATION..............................................................................................................................................II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................................III TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................................................... IV LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................... VI CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................1 CHAPTER TWO: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LAUREL HILL CEMETERY.................................4 DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH.....................................................................................................................4 SITE CHARACTERIZATION ...........................................................................................................................8 CHAPTER THREE: LITERATURE REVIEW – DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENT, LOCATION-BASED TECHNOLOGY IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY ............................................11 INTERPRETATION ISSUES AND TRENDS......................................................................................................11 FUNCTIONAL GOALS .................................................................................................................................15 TECHNOLOGICAL LIMITATIONS.................................................................................................................21 FACILITATING LEARNING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ..................................................................................23 EDUTAINMENT ..........................................................................................................................................25 CONCLUSIONS ...........................................................................................................................................28 CHAPTER FOUR: CASE STUDY #1 – WEB-BASED TOURS ............................................................31 DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................................................31 BACKGROUND AND INTENT.......................................................................................................................32 BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES.....................................................................................................................34 CHAPTER FIVE: CASE STUDY #2 - PODCAST BASED TOURS .....................................................37 DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................................................37 BACKGROUND AND INTENT.......................................................................................................................38 BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES.....................................................................................................................39 CHAPTER SIX: CASE STUDY #3 – CELL PHONE TOURS...............................................................42 DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................................................42 BACKGROUND AND INTENT.......................................................................................................................42 BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES.....................................................................................................................44 CHAPTER SEVEN: CASE STUDY #4 – MULTI-MEDIA BASED TOURS .......................................46 DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................................................46 BACKGROUND AND INTENT.......................................................................................................................47 BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES.....................................................................................................................49 CHAPTER EIGHT: GOALS AND ANALYSIS ......................................................................................52 LAUREL HILL CEMETERY GOALS FOR 2008 ..............................................................................................52 THE AUDIENCE..........................................................................................................................................54 THE MESSAGE ...........................................................................................................................................57 Ensuring Consistency ..........................................................................................................................57 iv Key Themes..........................................................................................................................................57 RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS..........................................................................................................................59 Scalability ............................................................................................................................................59