Historic Sites & Museums

Lockwood House
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Situated on the crest of Camp Hill of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia the 7-acre Lockwood House property overlooks the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers in the Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 2005, Heritage Landscapes joined a multi-disciplinary team to develop a research-based Cultural Landscape Report for the Camp Hill landscape around the Lockwood and Brackett house and adjacent Harper Cemetery, Jefferson Rock and slopes. Over time, this historic vernacular landscape evolved through the years of several significant events including John Brown's Raid, the American Civil War, and the founding of Storer College, one of the first African American colleges in the country. In 1955, the property was transferred to the National Park Service, where it was incorporated into Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shortly after, the exterior of the Lockwood building was restored, however, much of the historic landscape fabric was degraded or lost.

Today the property exhibits only remnants of its past character and features. The CLR documents and described changes to the landscape from the Civil War era, through the Freedman's School and Storer College uses to today. Thorough research yielded numerous images of the Lockwood House, Brackett House, and Harper Cemetery, though few were detailed. However, research coupled with Heritage Landscapes fieldwork and existing conditions assessment revealed traces of historic circulation and vegetation patterns on the site. The analysis elements capture both change and continuity providing a basis for landscape preservation, restoration, interpretation and management of the historic landscape. Heritage Landscapes treatment alternatives focus on reconstructing lost landscape features to regain a sense of historic character while providing for ADA access and interpretive opportunities. Alternatives to address historic viewshed management were presented to recapture the panorama of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers . This scenic view restoration requires suppression invasive vegetation and selective removal of volunteer woodland vegetation. Implementation of the selected landscape treatment alternative, coupled with the historic architecture treatment will enhance the character of the Lockwood House property and draw visitors to the Camp Hill area for educational and interpretive opportunities.

<< Back to Historic Sites

Copyright © 2008 Heritage Landscapes