appendix c: historic preservation reports - Smithsonian Institution

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.2 ROLE OF THE CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT IN THE MASTER
PLAN
The cultural resources assessment provides detailed information on the campus and the
importance of its historic resources, including an inventory of existing buildings and features;
identification of missing buildings and features; and major changes that have affected the
landscape and built environment. Identification of all types of existing cultural resources and
assessment of their historic role in the development of the complex is essential so that these
resources can be considered in the planning process. The cultural resources assessment includes
this text, supplemented by campus maps showing resource locations, an inventory composed of
inventory records (each with a photograph and a description), and an index of inventoried
resources.
Existing conditions base mapping for this project has been developed using electronic files
provided by Ayers Saint Gross (ASG) Architects. The team updated the files using information
gathered during field investigations in October and November 2005 and revised the drawings to
include feature labels that are consistent with the information presented in the cultural resources
assessment.
The individual resource descriptions are organized by area within the campus. The six areas
include groups of related cultural features: Central Post, Race Track and Slate Hills, Green and
Meade Barns, Bear Pond, Leach Farm/Posey Hollow, and South Pastures.
1.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONT ROYAL CAMPUS
The Front Royal campus of the National Zoological Park, including the Conservation and
Research Center, is located in Warren County, Virginia, approximately 3.2 k (2 miles) southeast
of Front Royal along both sides of State Route (SR) 522 (also known as Remount Road). It is
characterized by rolling terrain typical of the lower side slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The
area has been utilized primarily for agricultural activities and pursuits by occupants since the
early nineteenth century. Soils associated with the property range from gently sloping, welldrained
soils that are suitable for crop and hay production, to steeply sloping stony soils that are
best suited to woodland. Soil suitability and capability are an important consideration for new
uses and development on the site.
The built core, known as the Central Post, is sited just north of SR 522. Other smaller groupings
of buildings and structures occur on the property. A small farmstead cluster with numerous
outbuildings edges SR 522 across the road from the Central Post. There is also a small grouping
of features to the north of the post, which includes water towers and an archives building. To the
west of the post there is a small group of buildings along SR 522 off of Slate Hill Drive. A cluster
of barns and other outbuildings edge Rivinus Road to the east of the Central Post. The former
Leach property includes a farmstead cluster of nineteenth-century buildings and outbuildings to
the northeast of the Central Post.
Currently a mix of open grassland and successional deciduous hardwood woodland, the site has a
remarkable pastoral beauty. The natural setting also includes springs, seeps, and geologic
formations, such as rock outcrops. Longer views of surrounding mountains and hills are afforded
from high points around the site. Elevations associated with the property range from a high point
of approximately 616 m (2,020 ft) above mean sea level (MSL) along the side slopes of High
Knob at the site’s eastern boundary, to 219 m (720 ft) MSL along SR 522 at the western edge of
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK FACILITIES MASTER PLAN
FRONT ROYAL CAMPUS, WARREN COUNTY, VIRGINIA
CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT
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