Guide to the Preparation of Commemorative Integrity Statements

2.1 Introduction

This section should be divided into four parts:

• Overview
• National Historic Sites Program Objectives
• Commemorative Integrity
• Cultural Resource Management Policy

2.1.1 Overview

This section should be brief (no longer than 10 lines). The overview should provide an understanding of the site and its designation as a national historic site.

It should explain:

• why it is important
• where it is located
• who currently owns/manages it
• what was designated
• when it was designated

2.1.2 National Historic Site Program Objectives

These objectives provide the context in which a CIS is undertaken. The objectives are to be quoted directly from Guideline No. 1 - Glossary .

2.1.3 Commemorative Integrity

This section should include the definition of commemorative integrity and the definition of a CIS. This information is to be taken directly from Guideline No. 1 - Glossary . Depending on the national historic site or the particular circumstances under which a CIS is written, it may be appropriate to include information on the benefits of doing a CIS . Refer back to section 1.3 - Why prepare a CIS? .

2.1.4 Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Policy

This section should include a discussion of management under the CRM Policy , including the following points:

Cultural resource management is an integrated and holistic approach to the management of cultural resources. It applies to all activities that affect cultural resources, including the care taken of these resources and the promotion of public understanding and enjoyment of them. The objective is to manage cultural resources in accordance with the principles of value, public benefit, understanding, respect and integrity.

Parks Canada's CRM Policy defines cultural resources as places or human works that have been determined to have historic value. Cultural resources include those directly related to the reasons for the site's national significance and those not related but which possess historic value.

The Policy is the basis for management of cultural resources by Parks Canada. Other owners of national historic sites are encouraged to apply the principles and practice from the CRM Policy .

Effective cultural resource management practice is based on:

1. an up-to-date inventory of resources;
2. an evaluation of resources to determine which are to be considered as cultural resources and what it is that constitutes their historic value;
3. consideration of historic value in actions affecting conservation and presentation. Most, if not all, operational activities have an impact on conservation or presentation;
4. monitoring and review to ensure that conservation and presentation objectives continue to be met effectively.

A CIS sets out the results of the first two points above in order to facilitate the third and fourth.

The objectives in a CIS specify that the site should be managed in accordance with the principles and practice of the CRM Policy . In addition to the principles and practice, management under the CRM Policy means:

• cultural resources and their values are inventoried and evaluated, and these records are kept up to date;
• there are no uses or threats that reduce the potential for long-term conservation and future understanding and appreciation of the cultural resources;
• any modification to the site or its cultural resources is based on sound knowledge and respect for the historic values of the resources and is preceded by adequate research, recording, and investigation;
• conservation measures are based on direct, rather than indirect evidence, follow the path of least intrusive action, and are clearly recorded;
• any new work at or adjacent to the site is sensitive in form and scale to the site and its associated resources;
• monitoring and review systems are in place to ensure the continued survival of the cultural resources with minimum deterioration;
• reproductions and reconstructions are marked in such a way as not to be confused with the originals they are intended to represent;
• the historic value of the resources is fully considered and integrated into the planning, conservation, presentation and operational programs.