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Moravian College • Preservation Master Plan
south. Reeves Library was constructed with a
setback similar to those of the original residences
once existing on Monocacy Street, so the linear
view of the streetscape space was preserved. Views
south along Monocacy Street are still available from
the open southern end of the quad. In the winter
months, views north along Monocacy Street are
also available even though planting beds located on
the north end of the quad physically close the space
(figure 5-105). In the summer, the planting material
obscures the view of Monocacy Street to the north,
though this is easily remedied.
trees and other shade trees at the north end of the
space (see figure 5-105, right side). The enclosure
presented by this grove is enhanced by a large bed
of shrubs and perennials, ornamented by a split-rail
fence that was installed parallel to Elizabeth Avenue
(figure 5-106). The date of installation of this feature
and the small trees within the space is not known.
Contributing features:
• Large sycamores, >/=30” caliper
• Large white ash, 53” caliper
Figure 5-105. Monocacy Street is visible north of the quad during
the winter (JMA 2009).
From the entrance plaza of Reeves Library, an
attractive axial view is available into the Old Quad
area. Central to the view is a planter, now raised,
that was placed in the center of the walkway that
leads from the Library plaza towards Comenius
Hall (see figure 5-99).
Contributing features:
• Axial view down Monocacy Street to the
south
Vegetation
Vegetation within the Monocacy Quad consists
primarily of a number of large sycamores that line
the space that was once Monocacy Street (see figures
5-102 and 5-105). It is likely that the larger of these
trees were street-side plantings dating to at least
several decades prior to the construction of Reeves
Library in the 1960s. It appears that the college has
attempted to preserve the sense of linear space
enhanced by these trees by continuing the linear
plantings, but the substitution of maples and a
weeping mulberry for the original species erodes
the original symmetry of the space.
Other vegetation within the space includes a very
large (53” caliper) white ash tree at the southwest
corner of Zinzendorf Hall and a number of maple
Figure 5-106. Plantings at the north end of Monocacy Quad
(JMA 2008).
Landscape Structures
The entrance to Reeves Library comprises a large
brick and concrete stairway and ramp structure that
features two large concrete orbs installed atop the
large brick and concrete piers flanking the central
entrance stairway (see figures 5-102 and 5-103). This
feature was constructed in 1992, at the same time as
the side additions to the library (Schamberger 2008,
personal communication).
At the southern end of Reeves Library is a small
amphitheater consisting of a circular seat wall
constructed of interlocking concrete block, then an
earthen bank sloping up to a taller retaining wall
constructed of the same block (figure 5-107). This
Figure 5-107. Amphitheater at the south end of Reeves Library
(JMA 2008).
John Milner Associates • October 2009 • Chapter 5 • Cultural Landscapes • 115