Turf in Cultural Landscapes

What is a Cultural Landscape?

The National Park Service defines a cultural landscape as a geographic area, including both cultural and natural resources and the wildlife or domestic animals therein, associated with a historic event, activity, or person, or exhibiting other cultural or aesthetic values.

A Brief History of Turfgrass Management in the United States

The first published documented history of using grass for laws dates to about the 12th century. In 16th century Europe, "lawn" referred to open space in the woods, where animals often grazed. In the 17th and 18th century, it became fashionable amongst aristocrats to have a closely-mowed landscaped lawns that that provided views to and from great estates and framed gardens and promenades. In this country, 18th century estates that managed turf grass includes those for some of more prominent citizens such as George Washington at Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson at Monticello.

Until the 1830s, there was not a lot of turf grass management in the United States. An 1840 publication called the Young Gardeners Assistant referred to lawns as "frequently mowed and rolled to give a neat and carpet-like appearance," and by the late 19th century, grazing animals on lawns was no longer socially acceptable.

Turf grass species that are commonly used today were all document in New York by 1908 and by the mid to late 19th century turf was being used commonly in American public parks. It wasn't really until 1945 that the United States sees an explosion of industrialization and commercialization of lawn care as suburban communities boomed and personal laws dominated the suburban landscape. Turf management industry boomed and university turf management education programs grew along side this new industry. This also included a large increase in the use of pesticides and other chemicals on a large scale.

Important Cultural Landscapes with Turf in the National Park Service

Some important places in the National Park Service with turf management resources include:

• National Mall and Memorial Parks
• Statue of Liberty National Monument
• Fort Scott National Historic Site
• Herbert Hoover Historic Site
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area
• Independence National Historic Site
• Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
• Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
• Governor's Island National Monument
• Presidents Park (the White House)

The National Park Service developed and follows best practices for managing turf in cultural landscapes.