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Mount Hope Cemetery Cultural Landscape Report (cont.)

The cultural landscape report was prepared by Heritage Landscapes LLC, Charlotte, Vermont, which is headed by Patricia O'Donnell, FASLS, AICP. She was assisted by staff members Carrie Mardorf, ASLA, Sarah Cody, Associate ASLA, and Sarah Graulty.

The tree inventory and management plan was accomplished by Wendel Duchscherer Architects & Engineers, PC, of Amherst, New York. Principals involved in the study included Mark Mistretta, ASLA, Darryl Jones, ASLA, and Arthur Traver, ASLA, who literally counted and evaluated over 2000 trees in the cemetery north of Grove Avenue.

The six progress meetings were attended by the above participants as well as by representatives from the city of Rochester and the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery. City officials included JudieLynn McAvinney, deputy commissioner for Mount Hope Cemetery; Maranne McDade Clay, consultant to the city; Rick Rebar, Forestry; Jeff Simmons, cemetery operations supervisor; Luis Burgos, interim cemetery manager; and James Farr, assistant interim cemetery manager. Representatives from the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery included Edward Olinger, Marilyn Nolte, Richard Reisem, and Sue O'Neil. Henry McCartney represented the Rochester Cemeteries Heritage Foundation.

The inch-thick report includes dozens of historic and contemporary photographs, illustrations, and maps. The Executive Summary follows below:



MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORT
TREE INVENTORY & MANAGEMENT PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Mount Hope Cemetery is significant as a highly intact example of a mid-19th century designed, picturesque cemetery landscape. It was established and improved as part of the emerging rural cemetery movement, a time when scenic, picturesque cemeteries were developed in the United States and abroad as part of a broader shift in the perceptions, use, and character of burial grounds. The impressive cemetery landscape continues to convey its historic character while accommodating active burials and providing a valued green space to the surrounding community.

The cemetery was established in 1838 on expansive grounds located away from the burgeoning city core. The site, chosen for its dramatically undulating terrain and existing woodlands, was enhanced over time with several carefully laid out features, such as winding carriage drives, pedestrian paths, flowering shrub massings, perennial gardens and meadow. Additional features and structures were incrementally added to the landscape, including the chapel, crematory, gatehouse, Moorish gazebo, Florentine fountain, and hundreds of gravesite monuments, markers, and mausoleums. Together, the composition of objects and landscape conveyed an artistic simplicity, with an overall unimposing style and beauty. By 1930, Mount Hope Cemetery had become a highly valued public landscape, serving as a much-needed burial ground and scenic, recreational parkland which provided a quiet respite from the city where visitors could contemplatively stroll through the sublime grounds.

Today, Mount Hope Cemetery remains an icon of the rural cemetery movement in the US, and maintains its picturesque historic character with scenic drives and woodland massings. Topographical changes, vegetation cover, and monument density throughout the existing cemetery create distinct landscape typologies that affect visitor experience as well as maintenance regimes. Understanding the Mount Hope Cemetery landscape typologies provides a better understanding of the landscape and defines an organizational framework that helps guide maintenance protocols and future treatment efforts. To aid in future efforts, a tree inventory was undertaken that identified, mapped, and assessed the condition of free-standing trees. The inventory notes recommendations for individual trees as well as broader projects that will guide on-going management.

Analysis of the historic landscape character and existing conditions revealed that while changes have occurred over time, the landscape conveys continuity from the period of significance and a high degree of integrity. The historic significance and high integrity of Mount Hope Cemetery indicate that the landscape is eligible for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places and potentially for National Historic Landmark listing.

Based on the analysis, treatment recommendations provide broad guidance on management strategies as well as specific projects that can be undertaken to enhance the character, interpretation, use, functionality, maintainability, and quality of user experiences at Mount Hope Cemetery. The overall objective of landscape treatment is Preservation with an underlying respect for and stewardship of individual historic landscape features and character. Additionally, some Rehabilitation and Restoration efforts can be directed where appropriate. With a clear definition, historically-based preservation efforts can be undertaken to improve the existing cemetery landscape.

Projects to be undertaken in the cemetery landscape include alterations and improvements to vegetation, circulation features, steep slopes, cemetery structures, objects and furnishings, interpretive opportunities, and landscape maintenance. Specific projects define an overall approach to protect and enhance the historic landscape character. In summary, these recommendations include:
  • Create garden areas with planted urns or garden beds
  • Consider alternative ground plane treatments on steep slopes and in areas with vertical obstacles
  • Sustain overall character and experience created be cemetery trees
  • Create site specific Urban Forest Master Plan
  • Define phased strategy for woodland management
  • Retain diverse circulation system in landscape
  • Follow acceptable monument conservation practices to minimize damage to historic resources
  • Consider furnishings and structures in relation to landscape character and maintainability
  • Develop wayfinding, signage, and interpretation program that addresses the needs of a range of users
  • Conduct research and probing to determine availability of additional burial plots
  • Follow basic guidelines for tasks such as mowing practices, equipment, application of herbicide, etc. to minimize impact on historic landscape features
In order to provide a feasible approach for preservation treatment efforts, implementation priorities have been defined. Priorities for Mount Hope Cemetery are proposed to address and enhance specific character-defining features.

The striking character of the Mount Hope Cemetery landscape provides an unparalleled glimpse into the rural cemetery movement and the history of Rochester and its many notable residents. Implementation of the outlined treatment, management, and interpretation recommendations will provide an enhanced cemetery landscape for the enjoyment of visitors and residents of Rochester. Addressing identified priority items initiates an overall renewal of the cemetery landscape, resulting in early, recognizable results. Continued maintenance and implementation will augment the unique landscape character and foster understanding and appreciation of the cultural landscape. With thoughtful planning, implementation, and on-going management, Mount Hope Cemetery can be enhanced as a highly valued historic burial ground and a picturesque landscape for passive enjoyment and educational recreation.