HIST216 Historic Garden Preservation

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Historic Preservation

  1. Course Number and Title

    HIST216 Historic Garden Preservation

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2700 minutes

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course provides an overview of garden preservation and/or restoration for historic sites. The student will be introduced to American landscape design, the science of horticulture, and landscape site preparation. Students will receive hands-on training in many facets of a formal garden restoration project on campus. Field trips are included.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. To reinforce the importance of landscape preservation/restoration, which has typically been overlooked during the restoration of historic buildings
      2. To introduce the student to the four broad periods of American landscape design
      3. To provide the student with the knowledge and ability to conduct a site analysis, carry out comprehensive research on the particular and similar sites, and develop a long-term plan for restoration
      4. To provide an overview of plan anatomy and physiology. Authentic plants for period gardens will be emphasized as well as growth requirements and other environmental considerations important for plan longevity
      5. To stress the importance of site maintenance following restoration. This aspect of the garden restoration plan tends to be given minimal attention, if not overlooked entirely
      6. To enable the student to participate in a comprehensive restoration project on campus; whereby each student would be presented with the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from lecture, text readings and class trips

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Introduction to course
      2. Early 20th Century American Landscape Design
      3. Overview of Tyler Formal gardens, Site Analysis
      4. American Landscape Design - Colonial, New Nation, Victorian
      5. Research and Plan Development
      6. Introduction to botany, authentic horticultural plants for period gardens
      7. Overview of Soil Science, Site Preparation for Planting Maintenance in the Restored Garden
      8. Field Trip - Winterthur Museum, Garden, Library, Winterthur Nemours Mansion and gardens, Wilmington
      9. Field Trip - Chanticleer, Wayne
      10. Field Trip - Longwood gardens, Kennett Square
      11. Project Presentations
      12. Work in Tyler Garden

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      See Course Format

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Class lecture, restoration projects, and field trips

Review/Approval Date -12/99