Source: WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
CONSIDERING THE EVERYDAY: VERNACULAR CULTURAL LANDSCAPES IN CENTRAL APPALACHIA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1006224
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2015
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2020
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
886 CHESTNUT RIDGE RD RM 202
MORGANTOWN,WV 26505-2742
Performing Department
Landscape Architecture
Non Technical Summary
The purpose of this project is to identify, analyze, document and interpret cultural landscapes, particularly vernacular cultural landscapes, in Central Appalachia with an emphasis within the state of West Virginia. Work regarding vernacular, or everyday, landscapes in this geographical region has been sparse to date, creating great opportunity for adding to a body of knowledge that touches a wide variety of academic disciplines including geography, anthropology, history, art history, architecture, landscape architecture, sociology, and economics.The project's goal is to contribute significantly to the understanding of regional American history in this relatively unexplored area through study of "everyday" places. This will be accomplished through field work; research of historic documents, maps, and photographs; and interviews with community members. The project will produce academic literature and conference presentations that expand our current limited understanding of the topic.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
80360503111100%
Goals / Objectives
Project Goal:The goal and purpose of this project is to identify, analyze, document and interpret cultural landscapes, particularly vernacular cultural landscapes, in Central Appalachia with an emphasis within the state of West Virginia. Work regarding vernacular, or everyday, landscapes in this geographical region has been sparse to date, creating great opportunity for adding to a body of knowledge that touches a wide variety of academic disciplines including geography, anthropology, history, art history, architecture, landscape architecture, sociology, and economics.Project Objectives:There are four key objectives of this project which will employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The work to complete these objectives will rely on tested strategies in cultural landscape research.Objective 1:Identify and define cultural landscape typologies most prevalent within the Central Appalachian Region and West Virginia in particular.Objective 2:Of the typologies identified above, determine which are most appropriate and desirable for further documentation, research, analysis, and interpretation.Objective 3:Document, analyze and interpret key vernacular cultural landscapes that typify the most important typologies of the region through site specific place-based research.Objective 4:Disseminate information gathered and synthesized via objectives 1 through 3 thereby creating knowledge and increasing our understanding of the Central Appalachian region.
Project Methods
Project Methods:As existing literature for the project area is relatively sparse, the project must begin by surveying the landscapes of the region, both through tours and site visits on the ground, as well as by studying historical documents and records. This is the bulk of the work needed for Objective 1. The project will rely heavily on primary source material from West Virginia University's archives for items such as historical maps and photographs, family genealogies, land use records, state census information, etc. Other institutional archives in the region may also be identified for primary source material.Information via direct communication with community members may also be used to gather critical clues about vernacular cultural landscapes that might otherwise be unattainable. Interviews may occur face-to-face, or by telephone, email, etc. The project will also tap into technological resources available in the Davis College, such as the Natural Resources Analysis Center (NRAC) for aerial photography, GIS mapping and LiDAR 3D laser scans.After identifying a broad set of cultural landscape typologies, the project will endeavor to rank them in terms of viability for future project funding and in-depth study as described in Objective 2. The methodology for this work will be predominantly qualitative and will seek to answer questions such as the following: What are people interested in learning more about? Where is preservation a critical concern? What are the priorities of local, state and national agencies? For example, there are several important 'designated' areas in the region: the New River Gorge National River, the Monongahela National Forest, the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, the National Coal Heritage Area, etc. This project will prioritize the landscape typologies that warrant additional research, and will pursue those at the top of the list.With objective 3, the project will begin to delve deeply into specific cultural landscape sites in the region. Documentation through technological means (LiDAR, GIS) as well as direct observational techniques will be used to create site diagrams and maps. Analysis of sites will be accomplished primarily through the use of site specific, place-based research within a given typological context. This type of research, analysis and interpretation may be in the form of individual case studies, or might include groups of landscapes for comparison or cultural landscape typologies as a whole.The use of case studies in research and analysis is accepted and well-established in landscape architecture as well as in other fields such as law, medicine, and engineering (Francis 2001, 15). Because this project endeavors to produce scholarship that can be broadly applied and generally understood across disciplines, producing only singular case studies of individual cultural landscape sites may not be ideal. However, the use of case studies, whether for singular places, or groups of landscapes, as part of a larger investigation would be a helpful research tool and could create significant knowledge in the field.Landscape architects in both academia and in professional practice use case studies to disseminate information about their own projects, as well as to study other projects, both contemporary and historical (Francis 2001, 16). Mark Francis provided the following definition for case studies in landscape architecture: A case study is a well-documented and systematic examination of the process, decision-making and outcomes of a project, which is undertaken for the purpose of informing future practice, policy, theory, and/or education (16). Although Francis' definition and overall approach was created with landscapes designed by landscape architects or other professionals in mind, case study research for vernacular cultural landscapes (whether designed by 'professionals' or not) could also be useful and significant. A premise of this project is that cultural landscapes in Appalachia have not been identified or studied to the degree that they have been in other regions of the country. Case studies that reveal these critical places can provide an opportunity for the dissemination of information and the creation of knowledge.Reminiscent of case study methodology but from the perspective of material culture studies, Jeremy Korr suggests that "any landscape can be analyzed in part by evaluating the balance between humans, nature, and the built environment" (1997, 14). Korr proposed a cultural landscape study model with five distinct operations: description of place; boundary definition (experiential, abstract, social, political, etc.); dynamic relationships (humans, nature, artifacts); perceptions of place; and cultural analysis (3). This approach, with some modification, could also be utilized for organizing, analyzing and sharing the results of this research (1-18).Objective 4 may be accomplished in numerous ways. Ideally this research methodology will result in published journal articles and presentations at meetings and conferences as well as shared with the larger public. The story of who we are, and of our sacred and prosaic places, is meaningful to people beyond the academic world and the narratives created by this work will be compelling to a broader audience. This project will also endeavor to disseminate knowledge and information through public forums such as newspapers, magazines, and lectures.

Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Council of Educators inLandscape Architecture members and conference attendees. American Association of Geographers members and conference attendees. Landscape architecture educators, professionals and others (international publication). Preservation Alliance of West Virginia members and conference attendees Landscape Archaeology Conference members and attendees. 28th International Cartographic Conference members and attendees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has allowed for my attendance at multiple meetings and conferences where I have shared my findings and research in progress. It has also helped to support my travel to the National Archives in College Park, MD where I conducted archival research related to the US Coal Commission. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?So far, this research has been disseminated to academic venues, but the Historic American Landscapes Challenge (HALS) entry has a slighly broader, national audience. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project revealed that the cultural landscapes of the central appalachian region are rich, vast and quite diverse.Under the goals identified above, this project has focused on two cultural landscape typologies -- cemeteries and coal company towns --identified by objective one and documented by objectives two and three. The physical area of research has been in the New River Gorge National River (NERI) in Fayette County, West Virginia and now also Gary Hollow in McDowell County, West Virginia. The project has accomplished cultural landscape architectural research related to cemeteries and coal company towns related to thesetwo areas of West Virginia, though much remains to be done. Fieldwork and archival research has been conducted. To date, the projecthas led to one peer reviewed journal article, over ten peer reviewed abstracts, and numerous conference paper presentations.

Publications


    Progress 10/01/19 to 08/31/20

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two conferences where I planned to make presentations regarding this research were canceled due to the pandemic. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, I will focus on completing publications related to ongoing projects described in previous reports. The goal is to continue to distribute and disseminate knowledge to a variety of audiences.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Gary Hollow, WV was documented, analyzed and interpreted as per Objective 3. Per Objective 4, this information was then used to prepare the Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS) Challenge entry that was named an "outstanding submission" by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Heritage Documentation Programs.

    Publications

    • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Orr, E., Staniscia, S., and Yuill, C. (2020) Gary Hollow [Outstanding submission]. Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS) Challenge: Vanishing or Lost Landscapes, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Heritage Documentation Programs.


    Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I attended the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) annual conference in Sacramento, CA. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, I will focus on completing publications related toongoing projects described in previous reports. The goal is to continue to distribute and disseminate knowledge to a variety of audiences.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Significant research was completed at the National Archives in College Park, MD on coal company towns in the New River Gorge National River, WV which is related to the overall project goal of documenting and interpreting cultural landscapes, particularly vernacular landscapes, in Central Appalachia. The data that was collected is now being collated and analyzed.

    Publications


      Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

      Outputs
      Target Audience:The Council of Educators inLandscape Architecture (CELA) members and annual conference attendees. The International Association of Landscape Archaeology (IALA) members and the 5th Biennial Landscape Archaeology Conference (LAC) attendees. The Women of Appalachia Project (WOAP) exhibition attendees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Attendance at the Council of Edcuators in Landscape Architecture conference in Blacksburg, VA and the 5th Biennial Landscape Archaeology Conference in Newcastle and Durham, UK provided access to numerous educational sessions and professional development on research methodology, current issues in cultural landscape studies, and preservation issues in the region and abroad. These opportunities provided networking opportunities for potential collaborative projects in the future. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes. The presentations and exhibition described previously have local, national, and international audiences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, I will focus on completing publications related to the ongoing projects described previously. The goal is to continue to distribute and disseminate knowledge to a variety of audiences.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? Cultural landscape research within the Appalachian region was accomplished through the execution of the following projetcs: "Concealed by Nature, Segregated by Culture: Coal Camp Cemeteries in the New River Gorge National River" Presented at one international conference in the UK, journal article in progress "Claremont and Stone Cliff: A Case Study of Hidden Cemeteries in West Virginia's Coal Country" Presented at one international conference in the US "Clements, Woodlawn Cemetery (landscape photography)" Exhibited with the10th Annual Women of Appalachia Project 2018-19, a traveling, juried fine art exhibition at the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown, WV; Ohio University Southern in Ironton, OH; and Ohio University in Athens, OH These projects contribute to the understanding and comprehension of vernacular cultural landscapes in Appalachia, particularly cemeteries.

      Publications

      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orr, E. (2018) Concealed by Nature, Segregated by Culture: Coal Camp Cemeteries in the New River Gorge National River [Abstract]. Landscape Archaeology Conference. Biennial international conference, September 2018, Newcastle and Durham, U.K.
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Orr, E. (2018) Claremont and Stone Cliff: A Case Study of Hidden Cemeteries in West Virginia⿿s Coal Country [Abstract]. The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. Annual conference, March 2018, Blacksburg, VA.
      • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Clements, Woodlawn Cemetery (photography) 10th Annual Women of Appalachia Project 2018-19, a traveling, juried fine art exhibition at the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown, WV; Ohio University Southern in Ironton, OH; and Ohio University in Athens, OH. (Jurors: Roger May and Randi Ward).


      Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

      Outputs
      Target Audience:Council of Educators of Landscape Architecture (CELA) members and conference attendees. American Association of Geographers (AAG) members and conference attendees. Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CAGIS) members and International Cartographic Conference attendees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Attendance at the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture conference in Beijing, the American Association of Geographers conference in Boston, and the International Cartographic Conference in Washington, DC provided access to numerous educational sessions and professional development on research methodology, current issues in cultural landscape studies, and preservation issues in the region. All three provided networking opportunities for potential collaborative projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes. The publications and presentations listed previously have local, national, and international audiences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, I will continue the work previously described which will result in additional conference presentations and publications. I will aso continue to try to acquire additional external funding to support cultural landscape research. I will continue to disseminate knowledge to a variety of audiences.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? Cultural landscape research within the Appalachian region was accomplished through execution of the following projects: • "Minding the Gap: Cultural Resources and The National Map" -- presented at one international conference, journal article in progress. • "Cemeteries and Coal Company Towns in the New River Gorge National River" -- presented at two international conferences; journal article in progress. The publications and presentations listed previously contribute to the understanding and comprehension of vernacular cultural landscapes in Appalachia, particularly cemeteries.

      Publications

      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orr, E. (2017) Minding the Gap: Cultural Resources and The National Map [Abstract]. 28th International Cartographic Conference, July 2017, Washington, DC.
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orr, E. (2017) Searching for Cemeteries: Death and Burial in West Virginias Coal Company Towns [Abstract]. The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. Annual conference, May 2017, Beijing, China.
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orr, E. (2017) Cemeteries and Coal Company Towns in the New River Gorge National River [Abstract]. American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, April 2017, Boston, MA.
      • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Scientific Research and Collecting Permit, National Park Service: Orr, E. (2017) Cemeteries and Coal Company Towns in the New River Gorge National River. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, New River Gorge. Study number: NERI-00045. Permit number: NERI-2017-SCI-0001.


      Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

      Outputs
      Target Audience:Council of Educators of Landscape Architecture members and conference attendees. Landscape architecture educators, professionals and others (national publication). Preservation Alliance of West Virginia members and conference attendees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Attendance at the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture conference and the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia's annual conferenceprovided access to numerous educational sessions and professional development on research methodology, current issues in cultural landscape studies, and preservation issues in the region. Both alsoprovided networking opportunities for potential collaborative projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes.The publications and presentations listed previously have local and national audiences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, I will continue the work previously described which will result in additional conference presentations and publications. I will aso continue to try to acquire external funding to support cultural landscape research. I will continue to disseminate knowledge to a variety of audiences.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? Cultural landscape research within the Appalachian regionwas accomplished through execution of the following projects: "Country cemeteries and churchyards: Enduring cultural landscapes in Appalachia" -- Presented at a conference, published in conference proceedings, and published as a peer-reviewedjournal article. Received "Most Outstanding Paper Award" from theCouncil of Educators in Landscape Architecture, 2015. "Mapping Cultural Resources in the Digital Age" -- presented at two conferences, journal article in progress. "Cemeteries and Coal Company Towns in the New River Gorge National River" -- ongoing research in progress. The publications and presentations listed previously contribute to the understanding and comprehension of vernacular cultural landscapes in Appalachia, particularly cemeteries.

      Publications

      • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Orr, E. (2016). Country cemeteries and churchyards: Enduring cultural landscapes in Appalachia. Landscape Research Record, No. 4, 2015.
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Orr, E. (2015). Country Cemeteries and Churchyards: Enduring Cultural Landscapes in Appalachia. The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. Annual conference, March 24-28, 2015 in Manhattan, KS.
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Orr, E. (2016) Why Cemeteries Matter: Mapping Cultural Resources in the Digital Age. The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, annual conference, September 22-24, 2016 in Beverly, WV.
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Orr, E. (2016) Cemeteries and Coal Company Towns in the New River Gorge National River. American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, April 2017, Boston, MA.
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: *Orr, E. (2016) Searching for Cemeteries: Death and Burial in West Virginias Coal Company Towns. The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. Annual conference, May 2017, Beijing, China.
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Orr, E. (2016). Cultural Landscapes and The National Map: Examining the U.S. Geological Surveys shifting priorities in the digital age [Abstract]. The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, annual conference, March 23-26, 2016 in Salt Lake City, UT.


      Progress 09/01/15 to 09/30/15

      Outputs
      Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? This report covers one month of the project. During this time, we were working on a paper for Landscape Research Record IV that pertains to Objective 1.

      Publications