University of California

University of California, Davis, Davis, California

Landscape Heritage Plan: A Centennial Project 1 of 3 (PDF) 7.5MB

Landscape Heritage Plan: A Centennial Project 2 of 3 (PDF) 33.1MB

Landscape Heritage Plan: A Centennial Project 3 of 3 (PDF) 4.1MB

Landscape Heritage Plan Flyer (PDF)

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) was established in 1905 as the University Farm affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley. The site has a rich history, beginning as a Patwin Native American settlement and developing as a large Mexican land grant after 1845. The initial development of the campus included several working farms and ranches. Since UC Davis has been such an important site of agricultural education and experimentation throughout its history, these agricultural and landscape elements are closely tied to the significance of the school. With grant funds, the University will develop a landscape heritage plan, researching the history and evolution of its.

University of California, Davis received a Getty grant in 2006 for $175,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

The grant funds allowed UC Davis to hire a consultant to produce a Landscape Heritage Plan with the following objectives: to provide an inventory of historical themes, physical resources and evaluation criteria to serve as a base for developing a preservation, management and interpretation strategies for the campus landscape and associated resources; to provide a body of knowledge useful for future planning for the campus; and to engage staff, faculty, and students in the historic landscape inventory and evaluation process.

History This Land Grant University was established as a University Farm of 778 acres in 1906 and affiliated with UC Berkeley. UC Davis created to practice and advance agricultural studies. Located in Sacramento Valley.

This campus is an important component in the Central Valley agricultural history. Expansion in the 20th century from a working farm into a College of Agriculture developing into a general campus of University of California in 1959.

Purpose This project provides information about the campus historical context, the campus physical development, and provides a statement of significance on the UC Davis landscape.

Three contextual themes were identified and utilized to direct and organize the research phase and to evaluate historic significance:

• National and state campus planning
• California and Central Valley agricultural history
• Modern landscape architecture

Significance guidelines and standards established by National Park Service and California Historic Preservation regarding significance and integrity evaluations were used.

Significance: UC Davis can be associated with significant historic events, design styles, and landscape architects.

Areas of study: core campus, arboretum, Salano Park area, Orchard Park area, Student farm area, University airport, agricultural research fields.

Outcomes: Preservation and Treatment of inventoried study areas defined as significant cultural landscapes. This includes Quad area treatment plan: rehabilitation. Report includes Historic Tree Preservation Plan which is being utilized as a resource by grounds maintenance staff. The trees and plantings reflect the area dry and hot climate. Major development of using mid century modern landscape principles and favored techniques. This comprehensive report and the Landscape Heritage Plan are used as a campus planning tool, and will be used to assist in the preparation of a Landscape Master Plan.

Noteworthy landscape planners:

• Frederick Law Olmstead
• Lawrence Halprin
• Thomas Church
• Garrett Eckbo