R. Christopher Goodwin, PhD, is an archaeologist with specialized knowledge and training in preservation planning and cultural resource management. Having completed projects in locales in a variety of regions, including the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Mid-West, and Southwest, Dr. R. Christopher Goodwin currently is working with the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office to evaluate and designate historic cemeteries and burial spots that are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Although cemeteries typically are not eligible for listing on the National Register, they may be designated if they possess significance and integrity under a special criterion because of their clear historical importance. Because of the wide range of historic cemeteries, some are important for their cultural landscapes, while others may have high artistic merit in their collections of markers and monuments. For example, iconography and marker material trends and landscape elements can be used to help define the aesthetic value of a noteworthy cemetery. If they meet the special criterion, cemeteries can be nominated for National Register inclusion, which can be either in the form of an individual listing or as a “contributing element” within a broader historic district. An example of this involves R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc., using this criterion to nominate the Stonington Cemetery for National Register listing.
An early municipal cemetery established in 1849, the site has roots in the an early family homestead burial plot of one of the town's founders. Overseen by the Stonington Cemetery Association, this unique cemetery has been described as one of the defining cultural landscapes of the local region. National Register listing now can bring the cemetery to greater public awareness and encourage more visitors to the area.
Although cemeteries typically are not eligible for listing on the National Register, they may be designated if they possess significance and integrity under a special criterion because of their clear historical importance. Because of the wide range of historic cemeteries, some are important for their cultural landscapes, while others may have high artistic merit in their collections of markers and monuments. For example, iconography and marker material trends and landscape elements can be used to help define the aesthetic value of a noteworthy cemetery. If they meet the special criterion, cemeteries can be nominated for National Register inclusion, which can be either in the form of an individual listing or as a “contributing element” within a broader historic district. An example of this involves R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc., using this criterion to nominate the Stonington Cemetery for National Register listing.
An early municipal cemetery established in 1849, the site has roots in the an early family homestead burial plot of one of the town's founders. Overseen by the Stonington Cemetery Association, this unique cemetery has been described as one of the defining cultural landscapes of the local region. National Register listing now can bring the cemetery to greater public awareness and encourage more visitors to the area.