Clifton Park, Near Baltimore, the Residence of Johns Hopkins, Esq., Is Unquestionably One of the Most Elaborate Places in This Country
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Abstract Title of Document: Invisible in the ―Elysian Fields‖: An Argument for the Inclusion of Archaeological Resources in Clifton Park‘s Master Plan Lauren Emily Schiszik Master of Historic Preservation, 2010 Directed By: Professor B.D. Wortham-Galvin, Ph.D. Graduate Program in Historic Preservation School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation The University of Maryland, College Park Located in northeastern Baltimore City, Clifton Park is one of the few remaining vestiges of the 19th century historic landscape in Baltimore. It has a significant and varied history spanning 200 years, including its recent role as a park in the park system designed by the Olmsted Brothers. Best known as the summer estate of philanthropist Johns Hopkins in the 19th century, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. In 2008, the Parks and Recreation Department, with architecture firm Ayers, Saint & Gross and with input from other invested parties, created a Master Plan for Clifton Park that intends to enhance the visitor‘s experience of both its historic resources and recreational facilities. While the Master Plan has done an excellent job planning for the architectural and landscape resources, it neglects archaeological resources. This is due to - i - several reasons, namely that Baltimore City Code does not protect archaeological resources, and those involved in the Master Plan had no background in archaeology. The primary objectives of this research are to identify potential archaeological resources located at Clifton Park and make a case for the inclusion of archaeological resources in the Master Plan because they can significantly enhance the plan‘s goals. While there are no recorded archaeological sites at Clifton Park, historic maps, photographs, and documentary resources clearly indicate where potential archaeological sites are located in Clifton Park. These sources will be used to create an archaeological planning tool for the site. Thus, while my thesis will examine a preservation problem, it will also serve as a planning tool for these archaeological resources. Other sources for this research include personal interviews and secondary sources such as articles and books on more theoretical aspects of the subject. This type of research is not new in the field of archaeology, but it is not common in the greater field of historic preservation. This will also be explored in the paper. The inclusion of archaeological resources in resource planning is still not standard at the local level, and overall, archaeologists must prove the relevance and importance of archaeology in the field of preservation, one site and one jurisdiction at a time. This thesis aims to contribute, as a case-study, to this larger movement to solidify the place of archaeology in the larger field of historic preservation as a viable and significant historic resource that can enhance the goals and mission of the larger preservation movement. - ii - Invisible in the ―Elysian Fields‖: An Argument for the Inclusion of Archaeological Resources in Clifton Park‘s Master Plan Lauren Emily Schiszik Masters Final Project Submitted to the faculty of the Historic Preservation Program, School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, University of Maryland, College Park In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Historic Preservation 2010 Advisory Committee: Dr. B.D. Wotham-Galvin Dr. Donald Linebaugh, Chair C. Jane Cox, Cultural Resources Planner, Anne Arundel County - iii - © Copyright by Lauren Emily Schiszik 2010 - iv - Acknowledgements I would like to thank the many people who assisted me with this project. Their generous sharing of time, expertise, critiques, and permissions, made this work possible and also made it a much richer experience. My advisory committee: Dr. B.D. Wortham-Galvin, Dr. Donald Linebaugh, and C. Jane Cox. Your insights, recommendations, editing, and encouragement were invaluable both in this project and beyond it. Thank you all for your guidance and support over these years. Thanks especially to Don for pushing me back towards my roots in this project. John Ceikot and Chris Wilson at Civic Works for sharing so much about Clifton, your dedication, and your visions for the future. Clifton Mansion couldn‘t ask for better stewards. Eric Holcomb, City Planner II, Historical and Architectural Preservation Division , Baltimore City, and William Doane Jr., Northeast District Planner for Baltimore City for meeting with me at the outset of my project and discussing Clifton Park and its Master Plan. The many individuals and librarians at repositories who permitted me to use images in this report, including John Ceikot at Civic Works, the generous and helpful librarians at the Maryland Room of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, particularly John Korman, Jim Stimpert and Kelly Spring at the Ferdinand Hamburger Archives at the Johns Hopkins University, Jim Gilliespie, Chief Librarian in the map division of The Johns Hopkins University, and Jackie O‘Regan, curator of Cultural Resources at the Johns Hopkins University. My colleagues and friends at Anne Arundel County‘s Lost Towns Project. My classmates at the University of Maryland, particularly my cohort of fellow final project-writers – Carroll Cottingham, Gilbert Mbeng, and Kees de Mooy, who provided wonderful feedback, pressing questions, and support. I really valued those discussions over delicious meals this summer. Johns Hopkins and Eli Pousson at Baltimore Heritage, Inc. My parents. My father, Keith Schiszik, who genetically imprinted my love for historic places, and fostered that love from an early age. And in memory of my mother, Patricia Heinaman, who is with me always. Love you forever. - v - Table of Contents ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................ V LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... VIII LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... XI CHAPTER 1: CLIFTON PARK’S HERITAGE, MASTER PLAN, AND FORGOTTEN RESOURCES ......................................................................................... 1 THE LEGACY OF COUNTRY ESTATES ............................................................................... 2 CLIFTON PARK ................................................................................................................. 3 PROBLEM STATEMENT ..................................................................................................... 4 THE MASTER PLAN .......................................................................................................... 5 THESIS STATEMENT ......................................................................................................... 8 METHODOLOGY AND INTENT ........................................................................................... 9 GUIDING RESEARCH QUESTIONS.................................................................................... 10 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT .......................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER 2: ARCHAEOLOGY AND PRESERVATION – A (SOMETIMES) UNEASY ALLIANCE .................................................................................................... 12 THE ROLE OF ARCHAEOLOGY WITHIN PRESERVATION................................................... 12 LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES ............................................ 13 HOW ARCHAEOLOGY IS UNDER-REPRESENTED IN THE PRESERVATION FIELD ............... 17 HOW ARCHAEOLOGY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO PRESERVATION EFFORTS ........................... 19 CHAPTER 3: HISTORY OF CLIFTON PARK AND ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................ 22 THOMPSON ERA ( 1799 – C. 1841) ................................................................................. 22 HOPKINS ERA (1841-1873) ............................................................................................ 31 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY ERA (1874-1894) ............................................................ 64 CITY OWNERSHIP (1895-PRESENT) ................................................................................ 72 THE RECENT HISTORY OF CLIFTON PARK, AND ITS FUTURE .......................................... 84 CHAPTER 4: THE PRESERVATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN CLIFTON PARK ............................................................................................................ 87 LOCAL PROTECTION FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES ............................................. 87 STATE LAW .................................................................................................................... 89 THE LISTING ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES .................................. 90 THE MASTER PLAN AND OMISSION OF ARCHAEOLOGY ................................................. 91 CHAPTER 5: THE SOLUTION: ARCHAEOLOGY AS AN ENHANCEMENT OF THE MASTER PLAN .................................................................................................... 95 LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY .......................................................................................... 95 - vi - DEMOLISHED BUILDINGS ............................................................................................