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Moravian College • Preservation Master Plan
Chapter One
Introduction
1.0 Introduction
Moravian College is among the oldest colleges
in the United States. Its historical significance
spans nearly three centuries and represents a
diverse array of social, religious, and architectural
influences. Present-day Moravian College retains
its historical emphasis on intellectual curiosity,
personal integrity, community cohesiveness, and
strengths in music and the fine arts, a rich tradition
of excellence handed down from the strong faith,
values, scholarship, music and handicrafts of the
eighteenth-century Moravian community.
The historic buildings and landscape resources on
Moravian College’s two campuses were built by
Moravians of different generations, but most derive
from distinct European roots and community
patterns established long ago. American design
trends, educational beliefs, and cultural influences
have combined with Moravian culture and European
vernacular architecture to form campuses of
unique historic character. Generations of students:
young girls, college men and women, and theology
students have been educated here. The Moravian
Church and generations of administrators, faculty,
employees, alumni, and benefactors have helped to
shape the school into the campuses we see today
(figure 1-1).
This preservation master plan explores the physical
connections between the College’s past and present.
As Moravian College continues to expand and
evolve, it is important to recognize and preserve
those aspects of its history that have helped define
its character and identity. It is equally important to
identify and celebrate those aspects of its history
that can help guide its future.
1.1 Project Background and
Purpose
Moravian College has long recognized the
importance of its history and the quality of its
physical character. The image of the College, which
is in large part the image of its historic buildings
and landscape, is meaningful and important to
students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as to
local residents and the general public. In early
2008, Moravian College was awarded a generous
grant from the J. Paul Getty Trust through its Getty
Campus Heritage Grant program. The purpose of
the grant was to create a Preservation Master Plan
for the College’s campus. John Milner Associates,
Inc. (JMA) was retained to prepare the Moravian
College Preservation Master Plan and began work in
the early summer of 2008. An Advisory Committee,
comprised of Moravian College faculty and staff,
was formed to review the work being done.
Methodology
The planning process began with the collection
of data and background materials on Moravian
College’s history. Books, clippings, old College
publications, historic maps, plans and photographs
were among the items reviewed during research.
These materials were reviewed through the Office
of Development, Facilities, and the Reeves Library
Archives at Moravian College, and the Moravian
Church Archives.
The JMA project team then conducted field
investigations of the historic buildings and
landscapes of the dual campuses, taking notes
and digital photographs. Utilizing the historical
information found in the data review, the team
identified the resources and assessed the character,
condition, significance, and integrity of each built
resource or landscape.
Once the existing conditions had been reviewed
and analyzed, the focus turned to developing a
preservation approach in concert with Moravian
College’s stated mission and goals. Using
the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, the
team recommended both general and specific
treatments for historic buildings and landscapes,
and developing guidelines to aid in future work
processes affecting Moravian College’s historic
resources, including guidance for new construction
and maintenance cycles.
Draft versions of the history, stewardship, existing
conditions, and treatment recommendations
and guidelines were presented and reviewed
by the Advisory Committee. Following review
John Milner Associates • October 2009 • Chapter 1 • Introduction • 1