For Public Review: Pinehurst NHL Integrity and Condition Study

The NPS has commissioned a study that will document, in narrative and graphic formats, major changes that occurred within and adjacent to the district since its designation in 1996. The effort involves research, a reconnaissance survey, photographic documentation, Geographic Information Systems analysis, and mapping. The study also examines current and future projects and trends that may affect the integrity of the Pinehurst NHL District. The NPS hopes that the information contained in this study will aid in the stewardship of the NHL by providing policy makers and the public with a better understanding of the District.

Key findings published in the draft report indicate:
● The core and east side of the Village Green remain largely as described in the 1996 NHL nomination. On the west side of the Village Green, several completed and planned projects diminish the integrity of the district.
● The district's circulatory infrastructure and designed landscape remain largely identifiable as to what was planned at the village's inception and described in the NHL nomination a century later. The roadways of Pinehurst continue to function as a united whole and constitute one of the most significant aspects of the planned landscape.
● The construction of a traffic roundabout in 2008 at Carolina Vista Drive and Cherokee Road is the most significant change to the circulation pattern of the Pinehurst NHL District since its designation. Other concerning alterations to circulation patterns, include, encroachment on the sand and clay paths as a result of road widening and modern landscaping, along with their replacement with more durable brick pavers from the Resort to the Village Center, and the loss of space for historic drainage swales and planting beds.
● Pinehurst No. 2 was restored in 2010 under the guidance of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The work of Coore and Crenshaw brought back the natural and historic character of Pinehurst No. 2 that was first created by Donald Ross. Prompted by the successful restoration of Pinehurst No. 2, the Pinehurst Resort recognized players' rising interest in competing on historically accurate courses. In 2018, Gil Hanse completed a redesign of Course No. 4 which included the restoration of large, natural sandscapes, natural vegetation, lowered bunkers, and widened fairways, all of which were character-defining features of a Ross-designed course.
● Between 1993 and 2003, the Fair Barn at the Race Track was converted to an event center. Despite the rehabilitation of the barn that resulted in a loss of historic materials and the loss of the paddocks and other structures, the overall appearance and coherence of the Pinehurst Rack Track facility still conveys the classical feel of an equestrian facility.
● A pedestrian survey and review of the Certificate of Appropriateness records issued for projects in the Village Center reveals that most of the alterations to commercial buildings in the Village Center have been minor and related to changes in occupancy or to the needs particular to commercial areas.
● Despite the loss of seven contributing buildings, material alterations to many others, and the introduction of scattered new construction, the residential areas of the Pinehurst NHL District largely retain the distinctive character identified in the 1996 NHL District nomination.

NPS welcomes public comments on the draft Pinehurst NHL District Integrity and Condition Study prior to finalizing the report later this year.

Topic Questions:

1. Does the report adequately acknowledge historic preservation successes and challenges in Pinehurst?

2. Since the project kick off meeting in February 2021, have there been changes that should to be brought to the attention of the NPS? These may be tangible physical changes to the district, or intangible changes such as the new ordinances or proposed development plans.

3. Are the report recommendations clear and achievable?

4. Is there anything you would like to add? Anything we've overlooked?

Document Content:

Pinehurst NHLD I_C Study w Appendices 1.pdf   (93.2 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.