The DCR’s Office of Cultural Resources has been a pioneer in the preservation of historic landscapes in Massachusetts. Since the 1980s, the DCR has led the way in identifying, assessing, and preserving significant historic landscapes within DCR properties as well as beyond, collaborating with municipalities and non-profit organizations across Massachusetts to achieve these goals.
This rich legacy of historic landscape preservation programs include:
- Olmsted Historic Landscape Preservation Program (1983–1990)
- City and Town Commons Program (1984–1986)
- Historic Landscape Grant Program (1997–2003)
- Survey of Civilian Conservation Corps resources in DCR parks and forests (1999)
- Historic Cemetery Preservation Initiative (1999)
- Town Common Initiative (2000)
- Heritage Landscape Inventory program (2001–2008)
- Historic Parkways Preservation Initiative (2005–2007)
Historic Landscape Grant Program funded Plan for restoration of Memorial Cairn, Easton
DCR has also led the way in the development of technical publications that focus on the protection and preservation of a variety of different types of historic landscapes.