Interpreting the Cultural Landscape

Palimpsest at Port Arthur

PETER ROMEY
Director, Conservation & Infrastructure
Port Arthur Historic Site
Tasmania, Australia
Tasman Peninsula
Governor Franklin c.1840
Port Arthur c.1847
Port Arthur c.1870
Champ Street 1880
John Gould (by Boyd) 1874
Steamer in Port Arthur 1890
 PAHSMA ACT. 1987

CORPORATE PLAN

CONSERVATION & VISITOR COMMERCIAL BOARD ADMIN

P.A.R.
HUMAN
INFRASTRUCTURE # SERVICES & OPERATIONS RESOURCES

M
MARKETING

CONSERVATION
PLAN *

INTERPRETATION
SECONDARY PLANS

BUILT ELEMENTS
ARCHAEOLOGY

COLLECTIONS

RESEARCH
LANDSCAPE

RECORDS
LANDSCAPE PLAN

WEED CONTROL

FURNITURE
WORKS PROCEDURES

MANAGEMENT
GARDENS
FENCING

LAWNS
TREES

PATHS &
CONSERVATION PLAN

TRACKS
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

FIRE
# Formerly Conservation Department
* PAHS Conservation Plan adopted by
PAHSMA Board April 2000
Australia ICOMOS Burra Charter
(1999 amendment)
Article 15.4 (Change) - The contributions of all aspects of cultural
significance of a place should be respected. If a place includes
fabric, uses, associations or meanings of different periods, or
different aspects of cultural significance, emphasising or interpreting
one period or aspect at the expense of another can only be justified
when what is left out, removed or diminished is of slight cultural
significance and that which is emphasised or interpreted is of much
greater cultural significance.

Article 20.1 (Reconstruction) - Reconstruction is appropriate only where

a place is incomplete through damage or alteration, and only where
there is sufficient evidence to reproduce an earlier state of the fabric.

Article 25 (Interpretation) - The cultural significance of many places is

not readily apparent, and should be explained by interpretation.
Interpretation should enhance understanding and enjoyment, and be
culturally appropriate.
Port Arthur Historic Site
Conservation Plan 2000
Policy 5.2 (Landscape) - Where existing intrusive elements are
removed, former landform and topography may be reconstructed,
provided that there is sufficient historical and archaeological
evidence available. Where such evidence is not available, the
physical evidence of the altered landform should remain.

Policy 5.5 (Built Elements) - Missing elements of original fabric may be

reconstructed where:
• Sufficient information is available (hypothetical reconstruction should
not occur); and
• Reconstruction is considered essential to the conservation of
original fabric; or
• Reconstruction is considered essential for operational purposes and
is reversible; or
• Reconstruction is required for interpretation purposes and is
reversible.
Port Arthur Historic Site
Landscape Management Plan
• Landscape interpretation will aim to enhance the understanding of
the significance of the Historic Site without over-simplification of the
complexities of its historical and contemporary meanings.

• Features which define the arrangement of space within the Historic

Site are important (eg. fences, paths, plantings). Where these have
been lost, consideration of their restoration or reconstruction is
warranted.

• Because the Historic Site has been subjected to the loss of historic
plant and built fabric over time, and changing ideas about the
presentation of historic buildings, many significant structures within
Mason Cove appear as though afloat within a vast expanse of lawn.
While viewed as picturesque by many visitors, this treatment
conflicts with and obscures significant meanings.
Sketch by Lempriere
Landers Plan 1858
Late convict period photo
Civil Officers’ quarters c.1880’s
Convict Dam
Flume over Champ Street
Separate Prison
Penitentiary
`