Preservation Planning

In recent years, through our involvement in various types of capital improvement projects, most notably those involving urban parks and the restoration of historic sites, Hunter Research has developed a strong specialty in preservation planning and the interpretation of historic sites. Our firm is often retained to advise and contribute substantively to park design and redevelopment projects where clients have wished to maintain a strong link to past land use and community heritage. We have devised interpretive plans for county park systems and historic sites that have a wish to develop cohesive and cost-effective approaches to sharing historical themes and topics for the benefit of the public.

Our firm works closely with landscape architects, architects and engineers in the realm of preservation planning, ensuring that history is incorporated appropriately, accurately and intelligently into project plans. This work typically requires participation in concept development, design, writing of project specifications and construction oversight. Our preservation planning work is best exemplified through our involvement with the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, the Passaic and Mercer County park systems in New Jersey and the New Jersey State House complex and related state facilities in downtown Trenton.

Sample Projects Include:

Passaic County Interpretive Plan
Passaic County, New Jersey

Since late 2018, Hunter Research has been working closely with the Passaic County Department of Cultural & Historic Affairs and the Friends of Passaic County Parks to develop a county-wide interpretive plan.   Continue

Quarry Lawn Design and Construction
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, City of Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey

Since 2009, Hunter Research has provided archaeological and historic preservation planning services to the City of Paterson and its partners at the National Park Service as they seek to redevelop the Allied Textile Printers site, a brownfield and highly significant industrial archaeological resource that sits at the core of the national park and the Great Falls of the Passaic/Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.) National Historic Landmark District.   Continue

Museum and Archaeological Collections Management
Various Locations, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States

Assistance with the management and care of artifacts is a need faced by many of our clients. In some instances, they hold archaeological materials recovered from digs, or they may be local governments, historic house museums or historical societies with mixed collections of objects donated by members of the community. In each instance, Hunter Research’s archaeologists and historians, several with combined backgrounds in museum studies and public history, have developed collection plans, policies, inventories and treatments to fit each situation.   Continue

Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area Visitor Readiness Assessment
Statewide, New Jersey

In 2019, Hunter Research, working with Clarke Caton Hintz Architects and Cheryl Hargrove of Hargrove International, cultural heritage tourism specialists, has embarked on a state-supported visitor readiness study of approximately 140 historic sites within the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area.  Continue

Howell Living History Farm Interpretive Plan
Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey

Since 2000 Hunter Research has had an extended professional involvement with the Howell Living History Farm, a Mercer County-owned and managed facility in Pleasant Valley, Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey.   Continue

Petty’s Run Archaeological Site/Capital State Park
New Jersey State House Capitol Complex, City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey

From 2008 to 2013 Hunter Research, under contract to Wallace Roberts & Todd for the State of New Jersey, engaged in a major archaeological exploration and historic interpretive design project in a park adjacent to the New Jersey State House along a former stream known as Petty’s Run (now a part of the Trenton storm sewer system). This work was conducted as part of the creation of Capital State Park, an undertaking of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.   Continue

Abbott Marshlands Interpretive Plan
Abbott Farm National Historic Landmark, Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey

Between June 2008 and February 2009, in collaboration with Jane Clark Chermayeff Associates, for the County of Mercer, Hunter Research produced an interpretive plan for the Abbott Farm National Historic Landmark, one of the most significant Native American archaeological resources in the United States. Continue