PATERSON GREAT FALLS

March 2004: Scope of Work Prepared for the Cultural Resource Survey

 

A revised scope of work for a full survey of the cultural resources on the ATP Site has been prepared by Historic Conservation and Interpretation, Inc. (HIC), the industrial archeology consulting firm established by the late Ed Rutsch. As laid out by HIC, the cultural resources survey will consist principally of three phases:

1. Documentary Research 

  • To define the original S.U.M. mill lots and subsequent subdivisions that took place over time. 
  • To gather information on the hydropower delivered to each mill, such as: How much water was delivered to each mill, the height of the fall (potential hydropower), the types of water wheels or turbines used, the other industrial processes that used the raceway water, and the condition of the exhaust water that flowed back to the river.
  • To clarify hallmark periods of development. 
  • To support decisions concerning retention of site features.

2. Evaluation of the Cultural Landscape 

  • Describe specific aspects that give historic character and cultural importance. 
  • State the significance of the cultural landscape. 
  • Determine if the characteristics that defined the landscape during its periods of significance are still present by evaluating these seven qualities of historic integrity: location, setting, feeling, association, design, workmanship, and materials.

3. Infield Investigations 

  • Search any previously undisturbed soil layers for prehistoric cultural remains. 
  • Perform historic archeology to obtain the location, size, layout, and construction of each potentially significant cultural resource. 
  • Evaluate the significance of each resource so that the ATP Site can be interpreted accurately. 
  • Determine the three parts of the hydropower system of each mill: the headrace or flume that delivered water into the mill, the waterwheel or turbine that was turned by the fall of the water, and the tailrace that carried the water back to the Passaic River.