Table of Contentss

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Dinosaur

Wright Brothers

Gettysburg

Pertified Forest

Rocky Mountain

Cecil Doty

Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendix I

Appendix II

Appendix III

Appendix IV

Mission 66 Visitor Centers Chapter 3

The Visitor Center Landscape

The plan for the landscape surrounding the visitor center began with the site's preexisting conditions. During the stone panel construction, Superintendent Myers became anxious about the park's loss of historic stone walls, one of which was near the new building. Acting Chief John Cabot agreed that the wall should remain and sent a telegram to the architects demanding its preservation. In an additional note to Smith, Cabot stated that "replacement of wall after grading should be accomplished as Mr. Myers requests in such a manner as to preserve the rural farm scene in the vicinity of the new building. Too many walls have already been lost in this area." [126] The Park Service considered historical relics, like the stone wall, valuable elements of the battlefield. A September 1960 shop drawing by the architects indicates that the "historic stone fence" is to "rise out" of the flagstone patio.

In June, Robert A. Hope announced the opening of bids for the grading and walks surrounding the building. The contract was awarded to E. D. Plummer Sons of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, which planned to subcontract the masonry aspect of the project to Orndorff Construction. [127] Most of the walks were of flagstone cut into irregular pieces on site and fitted into prepared forms and designated patio areas. When the grading and paths were completed five months later, contractors were busy landscaping the entrance road and parking area. [128] Hope announced the arrival of twenty-three red oaks from Frederick Mummert's Colonial Nursery in Harrisburg. The final inspection of the landscaping work took place in November 1960, and during a follow-up visit to the site the next June, Mummert reported good growth with the exception of two trees that required replacement.

Considering their comprehensive approach to architectural design, it's not surprising that Neutra and Alexander also participated in planning the building's immediate surroundings. Early shop drawings indicate the heights of plants along the exterior ramp, ranging from low perennials at the entrance to 5-foot plantings at the far end; the desired sizes of flagstone in the walks were also designated. In March 1961, Neutra talked with Cabot and Park Service landscape architect Eugene DeSilets about the need to screen the north piers and visually extend the south end of the office wing. This discussion became more substantial in December, when Neutra mentioned the "possibility of extending 5-foot high planting at south end Office building extending southward to opposite last tree to carry out line of Office Building and tie it in with the landscape." In a letter to DeSilets, Neutra commented on "the evergreen screening-out of the un-natural neighboring museum and the extension of the visual length of the office." [129] The architects believed that landscape features would not only contribute to the overall setting, but also enhance specific aspects of the building's form and increase its visual impact.

CONTINUED

 

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