Blithewold's Site History

           The Gardner House (1840's-1894)                                  Blithewold I (1896-1906)                                 Blithewold II (1908-present)

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The following text is excerpted from the introduction of the BLITHEWOLD SITE HISTORY prepared by the MP consultants.

METHODOLOGY

This site history was prepared as part of the Master Plan for Blithewold to document the physical evolution of the site, to identify character-defining features and to provide a platform for discussion of the significance of the site and its components. Communication of the site’s significance, in turn, will form the foundation for preservation and redevelopment recommendations in the Master Plan.

Given the complexity of the buildings, landscape and collections, and the vast wealth of documentary material available, it was impossible to address all of their aspects within the context of this project. The primary focus has been on summarizing the history of the land and the buildings, and communicating this information in a way most useful for master planning. More emphasis has been given to the physical features and how decisions were made to build or alter them, than to the social and intellectual development of the site.

The primary source materials for this project were the written and graphic materials located in the Archives at Blithewold. There are many additional sources of information, which may add depth to the understanding of various aspects of the site; as individual areas are restored and/or re-interpreted, these investigations should take place.

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