Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment 2002
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Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment 2002 National Park Service Northeast Region Boston Support Office 15 State Street Boston, MA 02109-3572 tel. 617-223-5051 fax: 617-223-5164 http://www.nps.gov/boso/upperhousatonic/ To see the report online and submit public comments, please see http://www.nps.gov/boso/upperhousatonic/. Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Feasibility Study Contents Feasibility Study 4 Executive Summary 6 Project Background 12 Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Description 20 Key Interpretive Themes Relating to the Nation’s and the Region’s History 28 Evaluation of the Proposed Heritage Area According to Federal Criteria 44 Review of Existing Heritage Area Management Models and Comparison with the Upper Housatonic Valley 48 Upper Housatonic Valley Heritage Area Management Alternatives 53 Feasibility Study Conclusion 54 Environmental Assessment 64 Public Consultation 66 Appendix I: Exploration of the Heritage Themes of theUpper Housatonic Valley 78 Appendix II: Upper Housatonic Valley Properties Listed on National Register of Historic Places 80 Appendix III: Upper Housatonic Valley Properties Listed on National Historic Landmarks, National Natural Landmarks 81 Appendix IV: Selected Bibliography 83 Appendix V: Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Inc. Members 86 Appendix VI: Newspaper Articles on Feasibility Study Process 90 Appendix VII: List of Preparers 91 Photo Credits Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Maps 7 Regional Map 9 Study Area 11 Historic Resources 17 Open Space & Recreation 21 Arts & Music 31 Natural Landmarks Left: The 1804 South Canaan Meet- inghouse offers historic lectures and jazz concerts every summer Right: Beckley Furnace, East Canaan, CT Executive Summary The upper Housatonic Valley is noted for its picturesque landscape, the meandering Housatonic River, and traditional New England towns. Writers, artists, and vacationers have visited the region for 150 years to enjoy its scenic wonders, making it one of the country’s leading cultural resorts. Encompassing 29 communities in the hilly terrain of western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut, the upper Housatonic Valley is considered by many to be the quintessence of a civilized, independent, and thoughtful retreat. Many visitors and residents alike, however, are unaware of the underlying history and culture that have shaped and been shaped by the landscape. The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area has been proposed in order to heighten appreciation of the region, preserve its natural and historic resources, and improve the quality of life and economy of the area. The study area is the watershed of the upper of Tanglewood, Music Mountain, Norfolk Housatonic River, extending 60 miles from Chamber Music Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, and Kent, CT, to Lanesboro, MA. It includes 26 Shakespeare & Company, and the resort towns of communities stipulated in the Upper Stockbridge and Lenox, MA; Housatonic National Heritage Area Study Act •SHAPING A SCENIC LANDSCAPE—renowned for “The Valley of the of 2000; three communities that requested in- its scenic beauty and a long history of innovative Housatonic, locked in by clusion have been added. The Upper nature conservation following the era of industri- walls of every shape and Housatonic National Heritage Area Study Act alization and deforestation; outlined eight criteria for evaluating the signifi- •CRADLE OF INDUSTRY—region was a pio- size, from grassy knolls cance, suitability, and feasibility of the upper neer in the iron, paper, and electrical genera- to bold basaltic cliffs— Housatonic Valley to become a national heri- tion industries; a ‘Happy Valley’ indeed! tage area. Analysis of the upper Housatonic •REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND THE DEVELOPMENT A beautiful little river Valley in light of these criteria demonstrates OF DEMOCRACY—there were important events re- wanders singing from that the area contains nationally important re- lated to the Revolutionary War era, Shays’ Rebel- side to side in this sources and represents important national lion, and early civil rights. secluded paradise.” themes. The upper Housatonic Valley is a sin- Fanny Kemble, Actress, 1835 gular geographical and cultural region that has This collection of themes is not currently inter- made significant national contributions through preted by other national heritage areas, so it its literary, artistic, musical, and architectural would be suitable to designate the upper achievements, its iron, paper, and electrical Housatonic Valley a national heritage area. equipment industries, and its scenic beautifica- tion and environmental conservation efforts. The feasibility study examined three management The only National Park Service unit in the area alternatives: (1) Continuation of Current Practices; is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which (2) National Heritage Area; (3) Privately Organized runs the length of the valley. Heritage Area. It was found that the alternative of a national heritage area would be most effective at In the process of researching this heritage area accomplishing the region’s goals for cultural and feasibility study, four heritage themes interpret- environmental preservation and education. ing the region have been identified: •CULTURAL RESORT—famed for writers The national heritage area would complement the Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Edith upper Housatonic economy, which is reliant on Wharton, W.E.B. DuBois, painters Norman tourism, education, the arts, recreation, farming, Rockwell and Jasper Johns, sculptor Daniel and specialized manufacturing. A heritage area Chester French, and the performing arts centers would enhance the quality of historical, cultural, 4 Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Study and natural attractions and increase connections heritage area designation feasible. The among them. Heritage area goals expressed in the UHVNHA was incorporated as a private non- planning process include: strengthening the profit organization in 2000 to create a formal region’s identity; increasing public awareness of vehicle for promoting a national heritage area. It local history and the need for preservation; en- has an active board and a broad membership in- couraging research on local history and its cluding the region’s municipalities and cultural, incorporation into the educational curriculum; historical, environmental, civic, educational, and enhancing the quality of community character; economic development organizations. There is a controlling undesirable growth; improving the lo- great deal of interest in the upper Housatonic cal economy, particularly in Pittsfield, MA; and Valley in establishing a national heritage area. renewing a sense of public “ownership” of the long-polluted Housatonic River. This study includes an environmental assess- ment of possible impacts related to the three The extensive citizen involvement in heritage ac- possible alternatives. This assessment finds that tivities and the existence of the nonprofit the potential impacts are not significant, al- organization Upper Housatonic Valley National though additional visitors will contribute to the Heritage Area, Inc. (UHVNHA) make a national tourism economy. Dairy herds graze on the rocky fields of Lakeville, CT National Park Service 5 Project Background The National Heritage Area Concept cultural heritage, and enhance the economy A national heritage area is a part of our country’s through business investment, job expansion, and landscape that has been recognized by the tourism. Heritage areas have resurrected a sense United States Congress for its unique contribu- of “civics” in many areas. They have made tion to the American experience. It has a people more aware of their communities and distinctive history and geography, nationally im- their history and have provided a vehicle for portant resources, and a story of broad interest working together to improve their regions. to tell. It brings coherence and meaning to the complex history of a region. The creation of a heritage area usually begins with a grass-roots effort by residents, busi- Heritage areas may be developed around a com- nesses, community and political leaders to mon theme or industry that influenced the protect, preserve, and promote the special culture and history of the region. For example, in qualities of their environment, history, or cul- the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage ture. To pursue federal designation, potential Corridor of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, areas must undergo an evaluation of signifi- the mills driven by waterpower represent the cance, feasibility, and suitability. beginning of the early American industrial age. Many areas are associated with a large-scale The federal legislation that officially designates a natural resource such as a river valley or a cul- heritage area usually identifies a specific manage- tural resource like a historic canal or roadway. ment entity that is expected to coordinate the Expressions of the region’s heritage may be activities of the heritage area, develop its man- found in historic architecture, living folklife agement plan, and receive any federal funds resources, scenic and natural features, and provided by Congress. The NPS provides these industries and products that have sustained organizations with technical assistance and sup- the region’s economy. port. If Congress designates a national heritage area, the next step is to develop a management