Lancaster & Woodward Hill Cemetery / Heritage Landscapes



Battlefields & Cemeteries

Lancaster & Woodward Hill Cemetery
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Two of Lancaster 's Victorian cemeteries, Woodward Hill and Lancaster County Cemetery were the focus of this professional review of historic resources and preservation needs. These historic cemeteries exhibit a series of issues such as the need for sensitive insertion of new burials and monuments, ongoing and cyclic maintenance, vandalism prevention and response, and interpretation. Historic cemeteries are a unique compilation of landscape features and monuments with aspects of outdoor museums, public open spaces, and parklands. These cemeteries record early history for the Lancaster community, reflecting community character and important elements of local heritage. The assessment project was accomplished under the auspices of the cemetery board and coordinated by Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, with a grant from the Lancaster County Foundation.

The history, historic significance and degree of historic integrity of the cemeteries was documented. The assessment included an analysis of current conditions including maintenance, security, monuments and architecture, and landscape features; analysis of selected case studies for similar cemeteries with parallel issues; and preservation needs assessment based upon the analysis of current conditions. Heritage Landscapes presented a series of strategies to improve deteriorated conditions and prevent further decline. The proposed action plan set forth broad recommendations for additional documentation, National Register listing, preservation and conservation plan development, development of detailed maintenance and renewal guidelines addressing vegetation, circulation, monuments and fences, and funding an endowment. A short-term action plan was also outlined that addressed the development of local legislation to discourage abuses, address areas of hazard and severe deterioration, develop an informational brochure, and improve maintenance and security. The research, planning, and management initiatives outlined build toward long term preservation, stewardship and renewal, and also inform preservation of other local cemeteries. Preservation and management efforts have progressed and National Register listing was recently achieved.

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Client:
Lancaster and Woodward Hill Cemetery Boards and Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County

Project:
The Lancaster Cemetery and Woodward Hill Cemetery Preservation Needs Assessment

Project Credits:
Heritage Landscapes, Preservation Landscape Architects & Planners, Patricia M. O'Donnell, Principal, Charles Birnbaum, Associate, with David Schuyler, PhD., historian