Evaluating Significance
Our analysis of the study area included an examination of the buildings’ significance. This was done in order to create an inventory of architectural resources capable of contributing to the preservation plan and a larger understanding of the Harlem River study area. In order to develop a set of evaluation criteria we began with local landmark and national register criteria and incorporated additional criteria to address the specific needs and challenges present in the Harlem River area.
Structures were identified by their usage and were evaluated as to whether or not they were individually significant or important members contributing to a larger group. The context of each sites’ significance (whether the location is important at a local, state, or national level and whether it is important to the river) was evaluated as well using a set of established questions. Examples of our survey instrument and an explanation of the significance criteria are included in Appendix X. The evaluations led to the classification of every significant resource in the study area according to the most appropriate method of interpretation. The items were distinguished as fulfilling one of four roles in the preservation plan. They were essentially categorized by the amount of formal protection and designation they merited. The four types of acknowledgement are described below:
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Individual Designation: Individual structures or sites significant enough to be formally protected by designation as a New York City Landmark and/or on the National Register. Some of these are intended to be part of a larger historic district, but their individual significance lends them to being designated while the community mobilizes and surveys the area’s contributing structures.
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Contributing Designation: Structures or sites that contribute to the understanding and context of a larger group of buildings, but do not merit individual designation. These resources would be candidates for landmark designation as part of a local, New York City, or National Register historic district.
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Appropriate Signage: Structures or sites significant individually or as part of a group but do not merit legal designation. The community should acknowledge these structures with informative or honorary signage, such as a plaque.
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Educational Element: Structures or sites that should actively be acknowledged by the community through educational programs, such as walking tours.
It is recommended that the resources designated as landmarks, whether individually or as part of a group, also be called out with signage or as part of educational program. Additionally, objects that have been marked with a plaque are likely to be included in educational programs as well.
The Southern, Central, and Northern sections each include an inventory and description of significant resources located within their specified area. These resources are listed in order of construction date to provide an additional perspective concerning the study area’s pattern of development. Each resource has been given a label stating the type of recommended acknowledgement according to the descriptions provided above. In addition, the name of the building, its block and lot, address, date of construction, and architect are recorded. If a building is currently listed as a New York City Landmark or in the National Register, this is noted as well. The sites that are currently designated or are recommended for designation are specifically called out with the following symbols for easy reference:
* Distinguishes a building as currently designated as a National Register and/or New York City Landmark property.
Distinguishes a structure or site as being recommended for the National Register and/or as New York City Landmark.
Distinguishes a structure or site as being recommended as a contributing property for a national, city, and/or local historic district.
Download the Evaluation of Significance Document for the Harlem River (pdf format)
