207 East Liberty Street Savannah, GA 31401

Transcription

1 SAVANNAH-CHATHAM COUNTY HISTORIC SITE AND MONUMENT COMMISSION PART 1: THEME AND LOCATION PART 2: DESIGN AND FUNDING MONUMENT AND PUBLIC ART RECOMMENDATION PETITIONER: Loretto Lominack Savannah, GA FILE No.: LOCATION: COA Southeast Corner of Liberty and Abercorn Streets DATE: NATURE OF REQUEST: The petitioner is requesting approval for Part 1: theme, location, and preliminary design, to erect a monument recognizing the contributions of the Sisters of Mercy and the Convent of St. Vincent de Paul to the Savannah community. It will be located at. The monument would consist of a nun and a student dressed in the school s uniform on a 3 foot 4 inch by 5 foot base. It will be 5 feet 8 inches tall at the highest point. The base will be granite and the statue will be bronze. It is one of a collection of six statues with a similar design, but the student s uniform will be specific to St. Vincent de Paul s school. FINDINGS: Theme: The following is information provided by the petitioner regarding the theme of the monument: Arts and Humanities, Civil and Institutional, Social and Humanitarian, Religious history, Cultural and Ethnic History, and Education. Education, institutional, religious history, social and humanitarian (social justice), military history (administering to the wounded during war), cultural and ethnic heritage (service to all cultures and ethnic groups) and science and engineering (hospitals and nursing schools) would all be appropriate for this monument. The Sisters of Mercy are recognized for education, ministry to the poor, the sick, orphans, racial equality, social justice, women s causes and affordable housing for the needy. The Sisters of Mercy have a long history in Savannah, starting with their arrival in July of They educated slaves and their children secretly in support of their belief in social justice. They also educated any children in need, including the children of Jefferson Davis. Their main mission was to take in poor children in order to provide education as well as meet their basic

2 Page 2 needs. In addition to their educational work, they also served as nurses during epidemics, including the yellow fever outbreaks, and the Civil War. They even established the first St. Joseph s hospital on Habersham and Taylor Streets circa Their work continues with outreach missions, hospitals, schools, and low-cost housing for the poor. The following standards from the Historic Site and Monument Commission Guidelines for Markers, Monuments and Public Art apply: Evaluating Themes for Markers and Monuments. New markers and monuments commemorate and honor people, places, and/or events. Proposed themes should fall into one or more of the following categories. Arts and Humanities. Includes art, architecture, music, theater, literature, education, etc. Science and Engineering. Includes technology, inventions, medical, communications, etc. Civil and Institutional. Social and Humanitarian. Industry and Commerce. Includes economics, agriculture, transportation, etc. Politics and Government. Military History. Includes people, places, or events. Religious History. Includes people, places, or events. Maritime History. Colonial History. Local History. Includes folklore and/or local heroes. Cultural and Ethnic History. Education. The monument falls into the themes of Arts and Humanities, civil and institutional, social and humanitarian, cultural and ethnic history, and education, and religious history. The history of the Sisters of Mercy aiding and educating orphans, as well as caring for citizens and soldiers during the yellow fever epidemics fall into these categories. They also educated slaves and their children, showing their work in the social justice movement. The proposed theme should have documented significant, clear and direct local relevance to the history and development of Chatham County. The local focus should be the predominant theme of the monument. The Sisters of Mercy monument will focus on their accomplishments in Savannah, including founding hospitals and schools. They have played a role in Savannah since traveling here in The level of significance should be high enough to warrant a public presence.

3 Page 3 The person, place or event commemorated should not have been sufficiently commemorated elsewhere in the County. The theme should be distinct and original, and not be duplicated in other existing markers or monuments. The Sisters of Mercy monument will reflect aspects of their history and contribution to Savannah that are not commemorated elsewhere in the County. The theme is distinct and original. The theme should reflect a larger connection to the community as a whole, and not only to one distinct group. The Sisters of Mercy are connected to many other groups in the community, including founding what is now known as St. Joseph s/candler hospital. Commemorated events should have enduring historical significance and have occurred over fifty years ago. The founding of the Sisters of Mercy in Savannah occurred in Commemorated persons should have enduring historical significance and have been dead at least twenty-five years. Living persons should not be commemorated. The standard does not apply. The monument will be commemorating the Sisters as a group and be focusing on their accomplishments. There should be significant documented evidence (written or oral) of the commemorated event, person, or place. The history of the Sisters of Mercy is from oral records form Convent of St. Vincent de Paul, written records from the archives of the Convent of St. Vincent de Paul and the Sisters of Mercy of the Southeastern Region in Belmont, NC. There is also an article about them written by Charles Cluskey from the Daily Georgian in June of Location: The monument is proposed to be located near an existing historical marker on the property at. It will be easily visible from the public right of way in the tree lawn, but will not obstruct traffic. The following location standards from the Historic Site and Monument Commission Guidelines for Markers, Monuments and Public Art apply: Evaluating Sites for Markers, Monuments, or Public Art. Certain factors should be taken into consideration when evaluating whether a site is the appropriate location for a marker,

4 Page 4 monument or public art [hereto referred to as object to indicate the inclusion of all three types]. These factors include: The installation of an object should not cause overcrowding of the site, if there are existing objects. Objects should be sited far enough away from other objects as to allow the visitor proper appreciation of each individually. While the proposed monument is located in close proximity to an existing historic marker, it will not overcrowd the site. The proposed object should not damage or disturb existing established vegetation on the site including low tree limbs, or significant tree roots. The palms will not be disturbed by the monument. The crepe myrtle that exists will be removed with approval by the Director of the Park and Tree Department. The proposed object should not require the removal or alteration of existing above or below ground utilities. It is not clear if the standard is met. This information will be provided during Part 2 review. The proposed site should be large enough to accommodate an object, and should not encroach on other existing object sites, buildings, or designated green space. The proposed site should not be utilized for special events (such as sports, festivals, ceremonies, etc) on a regular basis which an object would disrupt. The proposed site should not be prone to frequent automobile accidents which could damage the proposed object. The proposed site should be easily accessible to pedestrians and the physically challenged (excluding marker sites). The tree lawn is easily accessible and already has considerable foot traffic. The proposed site should be visible and accessible from a public right of way.

5 Page 5 The proposed site should have adequate parking nearby (excluding marker sites). Adequate parking already exists in this area. The proposed site should not have a high probability of significant archaeology unless an archaeological study is part of the proposal. There is not a high probability of significant archaeology. The proposed site should be easy to maintain. The site is already maintained by the applicant. The installation of the object should enhance the space and character of the surrounding neighborhood. The installation of the object should not require the alteration or removal of existing signage (traffic, street, etc). No existing signage will need to be altered. The installation of the object should not significantly affect automobile traffic sight lines. The applicant has worked with traffic engineering to find an appropriate site. The installation of the object should enhance the design of the overall site. The installation of the object should not require the removal or alteration of existing sidewalks, unless it is part of a comprehensive redesign for the entire site (which is generally discouraged). If periodic memorial services are likely, the site should be able to accommodate them without causing undue disruption to the neighborhood, plantings, etc. The standard does not apply.

6 Page 6 Site in Relation to Theme for Markers or Monuments. The relationship between site and theme for a marker or monument is critical in determining the appropriate site for a particular theme. Monument. Monuments should be erected on sites to which the theme has relevance. The proposed site should not disrupt an established theme pattern. If the proposed theme falls into an existing theme pattern, the proposed site should also follow the corresponding site pattern. The standard does not apply. The monument is not part of an existing theme pattern. The proposed site should be the most relevant location available to the monument theme, as demonstrated through the documentation regarding the direct local relevance of the proposed theme. The monument is located on the grounds of St. Vincent s Academy. The context of the proposed site should be a major consideration in the mass and scale of the proposed object. The mass and scale of the monument are appropriate for the proposed site. The location of monuments in the Landmark District should respect the Oglethorpe Plan, particularly in terms of historic viewsheds and sight lines. STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN: Recommends approval for Part I: Theme and Location for a monument at 207 East Liberty Street, because the proposed project meets the standards in the Master Plan and Guidelines for Markers, Monuments, and Public Art. EIH: sef