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The term “high potential historic sites” means those historic sites related to the route or sites in close proximity thereto, which provide opportunity to interpret the historic significance of the trail during the period of its major use. Criteria for consideration as highpotential sites include historic significance, presence of visible historic remnants, scenic quality, and relative freedom from intrusion.-Section 12 of the National Trails System ActTo qualify as a high potential historic site, a site must meet criteria summarized as follows.Battlefields, Structures, Archeological Sites, Cultural Landscapes (exclusive of scenic resources), and Commemorative SitesWar of 1812 historic and archeological resources identified as battlefields, structures, archeological sites, cultural landscapes (exclusive of evocative landscapes), and commemorative sites in the Star-Spangled Banner Trail – Inventory of War of 1812 Cultural Resources (NPS 2011e) are candidate high potential historic sites along the trail. In order to be designated a high potential historic site, a resource must meet all of the following criteria:Important Historic Associations. The resource must have important and documented historic associations with the War of 1812 and/or the 1812-1815 time period.Historic Significance. The resource must be a national historic landmark and/or listed on the National Register of Historic Places or officially determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Battlefields, structures, archeological sites, cultural landscapes (exclusive of evocative natural landscapes), and commemorative sites are also considered if they have a combined significance and integrity ranking of five or six in the Star-Spangled Banner Trail – Inventory of War of 1812 Cultural Resources (NPS 2011e),Opportunity to Interpret Trail Themes. The resource must provide opportunities to tell stories that relate the resource to the War of 1812 time period. As described in the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Interpretive Plan (NPS 2011c), these stories fall into four categories that reflect the ideas and concepts critical to understanding and appreciating the significance of and resources associated with the War of 1812:military events in the Chesapeake Bay region during the War of 1812individuals residing in the Chesapeake Bay region who were affected by the events of the War of 1812the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay region and the hubs for trade, industry, and government in the early 19th century that evolved and were sustained by those resourcesthe United States flag, “The Star-Spangled Banner” anthem, and the continuum of citizen efforts over time to memorialize and preserve events, people, battlefields, buildings, and other icons related to the War of 1812Accessibility to the Public. The site must be publicly accessible. It can be either publicly-owned or privatelyowned. If the site is privately-owned then the landowner must have granted permanent or regular access to the site.Cultural Landscapes along the Trail Routes that are Highly Evocative of the Early 19th CenturyCultural landscapes along the trail route whose settings are highly evocative of the early 19th century are candidate high potential historic sites. To be designated a high potential historic site such a cultural landscape must meet the following criteria:Scenic Quality and Relative Freedom from Intrusion. A site along the trail route that is highly evocative of the early 19th century must have a setting that is generally free from intrusion by modern development, offering visitors an opportunity to vicariously share what Americans and British experienced during the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Bay region. Distant areas along the horizon and shoreline areas should be generally evocative of the early 19th century, primarily composed of wetland or forest vegetation, agricultural land, and/or historic structures with only minor alterations. New development, such as piers and docks or modern structures, can be minimally present, but must notsignificantly diminish the ability of visitors to vicariously experience a setting reminiscent of what people in the early 19th century might have experienced. It is possible that a site could satisfy this criterion if it is suitable for management actions that would restore its evocative character. |