Project Description: This project will provide the historical information necessary for Arlington National Cemetery to appropriately manage the Memorial Amphitheater grounds. The research will document the history and existing conditions of the Memorial Amphitheater grounds; and analyze and evaluate the historical significance of the landscape and its associated features. A treatment plan for the landscape will be addressed under a separate task agreement (PA21AC10241).
This project supports a partnership between the Department of Defense and the NPS to share best management practices in the conservation and long-term stewardship of National Cemetery landscapes and provide opportunities for youth to learn about the United States National Cemetery System. The products created from these tools will be used to increase public awareness and understanding of the memorial landscape.
Lead Principal Investigator: John Auwaerter, SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Rachel Leibowitz, SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Partner Institution: SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Federal Agency Technical Contact: Robert Page
Federal Involvement: Bob Page, Director, NPS Olmsted Center, assisted with project scoping and management, communications with Arlington National Cemetery Staff, and research leads, and reviewed draft reports. Staff from Arlington National Cemetery provided assistance with archival research in cemetery holdings and review of draft products.
Project Type: Research
Project Discipline: Cultural Resources
Project Sub-Discipline(s): Cultural and Historic
Start Year: 2019
End Year: 2022
Initial Funding Amount: $125,057.00
Federal Grant Number: P19AC01010
Location: Arlington, Virginia
National Park or Protected Area: Arlington National Cemetery- Memorial Amphitheater grounds
State(s): Virginia
Virginia Counties: Arlington
Student and Other Involvement:
- Masters Students: 1
Summary of Student Involvement: The project supported Master of Landscape Architecture student Anna Tiburzi in academic year 2020-2021.Anna developed existing conditions maps of the Memorial Amphitheater grounds, and undertook research to develop five period plans of the grounds that document the historic evolution between 1864 and 2021.
Summary of Other Involvement: PI John Auwaerter researched and wrote the site history, with research assistance from student Anna Tiburzi. Co-PIs Rachel Leibowitz and George Curry participated in project meetings and review of drafts.
Final draft of report for this project, together with report from P21AC10241 (treatment) submitted to the Army in February 2023. Received final comments in September 2024.
Products Associated with this Project:
- Uploaded file is a sample period plan. Entire draft report too large to upload. Final report anticipated to be published by NPS Olmsted Center in 2025. (Technical Report (Not Published))
Photographs from this Project:
Project research assistant Anna Tiburzi at Memorial Amphitheater, June 2021
Photo credit: John Auwaerter, SUNY ESF
Image Date: January 8, 2020