martinhouseclr

130 DARWIN D. MARTIN HOUSE // CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORT the structure into the year yard of the parcel. 270 Around this period an undated map was prepared featuring a detailed inventory of extant vegetative material around the Martin House. The map, without title block or author attribute, appears to be associated with a Historic Structures Report, prepared circa 1991. [Fig. 129] The plant survey shows a record of both introduced and original Martin-era plant material around the main house. It confirms the existence of trees and shrubs documented from alternate sources, along with additional characteristics of the Floricycle area in the early 1990s – which adds both confirmation and confusion about the particular species that were planted. Given that the Floricycle deteriorated over many decades, it is entirely possible that matching plant genus and/or species were reintroduced by subsequent owners in order to fill in what had degraded. Or, even as late as 1990, original plant material remained from the Martin Floricycle. Nonetheless, the circa 1991 survey shows five extant Spindle Trees ( Euonymus europaeus ) and a grouping of Weeping Forsythia ( Forsythia suspensa ). Adding to the confusion is the map’s notation that at least an additional six shrubs of a Weeping Forsythia variety known as Fortunei were present – in locations much more characteristic of the original Floricycle design. This alternate selection, though negligibly 270 MHRC, Martin House Complex Timeline, accessed 30 December 2014. http://www.darwinmartinhouse.org/timeline. cfm Note that the real estate purcahse was completed in 1987 and the renovation drawings are dated 1988. horticulturally different, is corroborated by Martin’s handwritten note of early 1906 wherein he takes stock of existing availability before purchasing plant material for the Floricycle. The presence of Spirea Thunbergii on the survey and the corresponding indication of Anthony Waterer and Bridal Wreath spirea on Martin’s ledger also suggest either that there may have been substitutions from the plan by the Martins or new, similar, plant material was added by later owners. Of the other plant materials known to historically exist in the Maritn-era around the main house, only a few others are present on the 1991 inventory. These include Wisteria near the truncated Pergola, Wisteria and Common Wintercreeper outside the northeast corner of the ‘Unit Room,’ American Bittersweet at the base of the masonry pier once holding the Bock sculpture, and Fragrant Honeysuckle near the southern terminus of the Floricycle and in the front raised planter. One possible inclusion would be the presence of Barberry and Vanhoutt Spirea near the intersection of the driveway and Jewett Parkway. Of all the trees indicated on the 1991 plan, only the two ginkgo trees and the European Beech are original to the Martin-era. MHRC Stewardship & Architectural Reconstruction By 1992, the not-for-profit entity currently known as the Martin House Restoration Corporation (MHRC) was formed with the intent to restore Fig. 127, top South side of Martin verandah, c. 1990. Fig. 128, bottom Tauriello-era entry walk at veranda, UB sign, c. 1985.