Title:
Project recaptures uniqueness of Planetary Court
Accession#:
1996.01.00
Pubication Date:
04—03—2004
Call#:
AC—0148
Object ID:
AC—0148
Collection:
KSHS Articles and Clippings
Additional Notes & Full Text:
Project recaptures uniqueness of Planetary Court
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Planetary Court, with-
in Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero, was
built in 1904 by the Koreshan
Unity commune.
In 1961, the last living Kore-
shans donated the remnants of
the commune to the state with
a lifetime tenancy agreement.
The last Koreshan member
lived in the Planetary Court un-
til her death in 1982. The site
became a National Register
Historic District on May 4,1979,
and a Lee County Historically
Designated Property on July 19,
2000.
The Planetary Court is both
architecturally and historically
significant. It is an excellent ex-
ample of vernacular architec-
ture, having been constructed
by the community's members
using locally available materi-
als.
The building's first and sec-
ond floor wrap-around porch-
es, as well as the cross-ventila-
tion created by the windows, il-
lustrate the Koreshans' aware-
ness of environmental design
and indigenous architecture.
Now, one ofll remaining
buildings in the settlement
complex, the house is unique in
that it possesses an architectur-
al refinement that stands out
among the surrounding pio-
neer-style buildings.
The building also occupies a
prominent place within the
overall landscape that the Kore-
shans intended to create. A
geometric quadrangle of shell
paths surrounds the house, part
of a reoccurring theme
throughout the commune
grounds.
The restoration of the Plane-
tary Court returned the build-
ing to an opulence that had
been lost due to alteration, dis-
regard and natural deteriora-
tion.
In 1926, the visual centerpiece
of the building — the cupola —
was damaged in a hurricane and
never rebuilt. Moreover, in the
1960s, the building's last resident
implemented several drastic al-
terations to the house.
The original 4-bedroom-per-
floor layout was changed by the
with installation ofdouble-si^
doorways joining the north-side
bedrooms on both the first and
second floors.
Knotty pine paneling was in-
stalled, along^with additional
electrical outlets and switches,
throughout the first and second
stories. Homosote board ceil-
ings, with batten strips in some
rooms, were also put in. The
most drastic alteration was the
addition to the east face of the
second floor that overtook the
balcony and compromised the
building's symmetry. This addi-
tion accommodated a closet,
bathroom, kitchenette and
sewing room.
In order to properly plan for
the building's restoration, in
1994, Division of Historical Re-
sources grant-in-aid funding
was obtained in order to pro-
duce the "Restoration Approach
and Preservation Plan for the
Planetary Court" by Stevenson
Architects.
Subsequent funding, to carry
out the restoration plan, was
obtained by two special catego-
ry matching grants, Phase I in
1999 and Phase II in 2000. also
through the Department of State
Division of Historical Re-
sources.
Throughout the project, the
Secretary of the Interior's Stan-
dards for Restoration were uti-
lized, first by the architect in
writing the restoration plan, then
during the construction process
to guide all aspects of the
restoration.
In the plan, a restoration date
of 3926 was established in order
to depict the character of the
Planetary Court as it had ap-
peared historically. This required
the removal, as well as the rever-
sal, of later alterations and added
features,
Also included was the recon-
struction of missing features that
belonged within the restoration
period — the cupola in particu-
lar. Justification for reconstruct-
ing the cupola was substantiated
both by documentary evidence,
contained in archival photos and
writings, as well as by the physi-
cal evidence of partially intact
structural framework.
Existing materials and features
that fit within the period were re-
tained and preserved, as were any
distinctive examples of crafts-
manship.
For example, the foyer stair-
case is, not only an example of tal-
ented craftsmansllip, but is made
of heart pine that is no longer
readily available. The overall
structural framework of the
building was retained, as it was
intact, and the original joists,
rafters, and wall studs were pri-
marily still in place and in good
condition.
Upgrades to the mechanical,
electrical, and plumbing systems,
and other code-required work,
was also carried out in the most
historically sensitive manner
possible. Moreover, as it was nec-
essary to provide underground
water lines to the building for tile
fire-suppression system, archae-
ological test-pits were dug prior
to digging trenches for the lines,
and the project was archaeologi-
cally monitored throughout its
process.
Before any construction be-
gan, the architect prepared a set
of existing conditions drawings,
documenting the evolution of
the building. Likewise, when the
construction was finished, the
final work was documented in
an as-built set of drawings not-
ing any changes made during
construction that varied from
the original documents.
The use of the property after
the restoration was also consis-
tent with the secretary's stan-
dards, as it would be used as a
historic house museum depict-
ing the lives of the home's resi-
dents during the period of
restoration.
When asked to comment on
the significance of the site and
the importance of the restora-
tion of Planetary Court, Linda
Stevenson, the project's archi-
tect responded:
"The story of the creation of
the site, and the people who in-
habited it, is truly fascinating.
This made this work unique —
the spirit of the people still res-
onates on the grounds and in the
buildings.
"The public is so lucky to
have this — and I think it is a
great story of an unusual aspect
of American history — these
Utopian communities of the 19th
and early 20th century.
"I think Koreshan has signifi-
cance on a national and even in-
ternational level, because this is
an aspect of American history
and culture that transcends na-
tional boundaries.
"I sometimes talk to friends
and colleagues overseas about
the site and they are all fascinat-
ed by it. In fact, I would like very
much to write some abstracts
for various conferences on the
work at the site.
"Some aspects that con-
tributed to the success of the
project were the archives of his-
torical documentation and re-
sources available to help formu-
late a restoration approach, es-
tablish a period ofinterpreta-
tion, and justify any decisions
made, as well as the final prod-
uct.
"The site has an informed and
dedicated staff who is extremely
knowledgeable about the site
and committed to its
preservation and interpretation.
The CSO is dedicated to working
with DEP to preserve and inter-
pret the site for the public. Lastly,
die buildings themselves, despite
various levels of intervention
over the years, have retained
enough of their historic features
and fabric so that the physical evi-
dence can aid in support of the
documentary evidence, in many
cases."
Koreshan State Historic Site
has an annual visitation of ap-
proximately 50,000. Attendance
has risen consistently each year,
as Southwest Florida is an in-
creasingly popular destination.
Visitation is not only positive
for the site itself, but, through a
multiplier effect, provides eco-
nomic benefits to the County and
the State.
In 2001, there were an estimat-
ed 1.9 million visitors to Lee
County, and their expenditures
were estimated at $1,426,179,100.
In Florida as a whole, an estimat-
ed $3.721 billion in expenditures
was generated by heritage
tourism in the year 2000, accord-
ing to a study commissioned by
the Florida Trust for Historic
Preservation.
The study also points out that,
of Florida's 18.1 million State Park
visitors, in 2000-01,46.2 percent
traveled to a state park that in-
cluded a historic or archaeologi-
cal site.
Further, the resident density of
Estero and its surrounding area
has been increasing dramatically
and is expected to keep doing so.
As population grows, the preser-
vation of historic venues becomes
increasingly vital.
To this end, the Koreshan his-
toric district is embraced whole-
heartedly by the surrounding
community. The site is utilized
regularly by the local historic so-
ciety, and the Lee County School
System conducts a unit of fourth
grade Florida history at Kore-
shan. Also, students from Florida
Gulf Coast University conduct
historical, architectural and horti-
cultural research on site.
Since the restoration of the
Planetary Court, a local historic
homeowner, and patron to Kore-
shan, was inclined to reject a
multitude of developers multi-
million-dollar offers for her es-
tate, and, instead offer its sale for
historic preservation.
The local historic society is
working toward opening its own
museum and often looks to Ko-
reshan for guidance, training, re-
search, and cooperative efforts.
Therefore, the restoration of the
Planetary Court, as well as the
services provided by Koreshan
State Historic Site, certainly
make a positive contribution to
its community.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Planetary Court, with-
in Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero, was
built in 1904 by the Koreshan
Unity commune.
In 1961, the last living Kore-
shans donated the remnants of
the commune to the state with
a lifetime tenancy agreement.
The last Koreshan member
lived in the Planetary Court un-
til her death in 1982. The site
became a National Register
Historic District on May 4,1979,
and a Lee County Historically
Designated Property on July 19,
2000.
The Planetary Court is both
architecturally and historically
significant. It is an excellent ex-
ample of vernacular architec-
ture, having been constructed
by the community's members
using locally available materi-
als.
The building's first and sec-
ond floor wrap-around porch-
es, as well as the cross-ventila-
tion created by the windows, il-
lustrate the Koreshans' aware-
ness of environmental design
and indigenous architecture.
Now, one ofll remaining
buildings in the settlement
complex, the house is unique in
that it possesses an architectur-
al refinement that stands out
among the surrounding pio-
neer-style buildings.
The building also occupies a
prominent place within the
overall landscape that the Kore-
shans intended to create. A
geometric quadrangle of shell
paths surrounds the house, part
of a reoccurring theme
throughout the commune
grounds.
The restoration of the Plane-
tary Court returned the build-
ing to an opulence that had
been lost due to alteration, dis-
regard and natural deteriora-
tion.
In 1926, the visual centerpiece
of the building — the cupola —
was damaged in a hurricane and
never rebuilt. Moreover, in the
1960s, the building's last resident
implemented several drastic al-
terations to the house.
The original 4-bedroom-per-
floor layout was changed by the
with installation ofdouble-si^
doorways joining the north-side
bedrooms on both the first and
second floors.
Knotty pine paneling was in-
stalled, along^with additional
electrical outlets and switches,
throughout the first and second
stories. Homosote board ceil-
ings, with batten strips in some
rooms, were also put in. The
most drastic alteration was the
addition to the east face of the
second floor that overtook the
balcony and compromised the
building's symmetry. This addi-
tion accommodated a closet,
bathroom, kitchenette and
sewing room.
In order to properly plan for
the building's restoration, in
1994, Division of Historical Re-
sources grant-in-aid funding
was obtained in order to pro-
duce the "Restoration Approach
and Preservation Plan for the
Planetary Court" by Stevenson
Architects.
Subsequent funding, to carry
out the restoration plan, was
obtained by two special catego-
ry matching grants, Phase I in
1999 and Phase II in 2000. also
through the Department of State
Division of Historical Re-
sources.
Throughout the project, the
Secretary of the Interior's Stan-
dards for Restoration were uti-
lized, first by the architect in
writing the restoration plan, then
during the construction process
to guide all aspects of the
restoration.
In the plan, a restoration date
of 3926 was established in order
to depict the character of the
Planetary Court as it had ap-
peared historically. This required
the removal, as well as the rever-
sal, of later alterations and added
features,
Also included was the recon-
struction of missing features that
belonged within the restoration
period — the cupola in particu-
lar. Justification for reconstruct-
ing the cupola was substantiated
both by documentary evidence,
contained in archival photos and
writings, as well as by the physi-
cal evidence of partially intact
structural framework.
Existing materials and features
that fit within the period were re-
tained and preserved, as were any
distinctive examples of crafts-
manship.
For example, the foyer stair-
case is, not only an example of tal-
ented craftsmansllip, but is made
of heart pine that is no longer
readily available. The overall
structural framework of the
building was retained, as it was
intact, and the original joists,
rafters, and wall studs were pri-
marily still in place and in good
condition.
Upgrades to the mechanical,
electrical, and plumbing systems,
and other code-required work,
was also carried out in the most
historically sensitive manner
possible. Moreover, as it was nec-
essary to provide underground
water lines to the building for tile
fire-suppression system, archae-
ological test-pits were dug prior
to digging trenches for the lines,
and the project was archaeologi-
cally monitored throughout its
process.
Before any construction be-
gan, the architect prepared a set
of existing conditions drawings,
documenting the evolution of
the building. Likewise, when the
construction was finished, the
final work was documented in
an as-built set of drawings not-
ing any changes made during
construction that varied from
the original documents.
The use of the property after
the restoration was also consis-
tent with the secretary's stan-
dards, as it would be used as a
historic house museum depict-
ing the lives of the home's resi-
dents during the period of
restoration.
When asked to comment on
the significance of the site and
the importance of the restora-
tion of Planetary Court, Linda
Stevenson, the project's archi-
tect responded:
"The story of the creation of
the site, and the people who in-
habited it, is truly fascinating.
This made this work unique —
the spirit of the people still res-
onates on the grounds and in the
buildings.
"The public is so lucky to
have this — and I think it is a
great story of an unusual aspect
of American history — these
Utopian communities of the 19th
and early 20th century.
"I think Koreshan has signifi-
cance on a national and even in-
ternational level, because this is
an aspect of American history
and culture that transcends na-
tional boundaries.
"I sometimes talk to friends
and colleagues overseas about
the site and they are all fascinat-
ed by it. In fact, I would like very
much to write some abstracts
for various conferences on the
work at the site.
"Some aspects that con-
tributed to the success of the
project were the archives of his-
torical documentation and re-
sources available to help formu-
late a restoration approach, es-
tablish a period ofinterpreta-
tion, and justify any decisions
made, as well as the final prod-
uct.
"The site has an informed and
dedicated staff who is extremely
knowledgeable about the site
and committed to its
preservation and interpretation.
The CSO is dedicated to working
with DEP to preserve and inter-
pret the site for the public. Lastly,
die buildings themselves, despite
various levels of intervention
over the years, have retained
enough of their historic features
and fabric so that the physical evi-
dence can aid in support of the
documentary evidence, in many
cases."
Koreshan State Historic Site
has an annual visitation of ap-
proximately 50,000. Attendance
has risen consistently each year,
as Southwest Florida is an in-
creasingly popular destination.
Visitation is not only positive
for the site itself, but, through a
multiplier effect, provides eco-
nomic benefits to the County and
the State.
In 2001, there were an estimat-
ed 1.9 million visitors to Lee
County, and their expenditures
were estimated at $1,426,179,100.
In Florida as a whole, an estimat-
ed $3.721 billion in expenditures
was generated by heritage
tourism in the year 2000, accord-
ing to a study commissioned by
the Florida Trust for Historic
Preservation.
The study also points out that,
of Florida's 18.1 million State Park
visitors, in 2000-01,46.2 percent
traveled to a state park that in-
cluded a historic or archaeologi-
cal site.
Further, the resident density of
Estero and its surrounding area
has been increasing dramatically
and is expected to keep doing so.
As population grows, the preser-
vation of historic venues becomes
increasingly vital.
To this end, the Koreshan his-
toric district is embraced whole-
heartedly by the surrounding
community. The site is utilized
regularly by the local historic so-
ciety, and the Lee County School
System conducts a unit of fourth
grade Florida history at Kore-
shan. Also, students from Florida
Gulf Coast University conduct
historical, architectural and horti-
cultural research on site.
Since the restoration of the
Planetary Court, a local historic
homeowner, and patron to Kore-
shan, was inclined to reject a
multitude of developers multi-
million-dollar offers for her es-
tate, and, instead offer its sale for
historic preservation.
The local historic society is
working toward opening its own
museum and often looks to Ko-
reshan for guidance, training, re-
search, and cooperative efforts.
Therefore, the restoration of the
Planetary Court, as well as the
services provided by Koreshan
State Historic Site, certainly
make a positive contribution to
its community.
Author:
Anthony—Ohnemus, Catherine
Summary:
Talks about the long road to restoration of the Planetary Court.
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Object Name:
Newspaper
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Phys Desc:
1 p.
Publisher:
News Press
Publication Place:
Estero, Fl.
Subjects:
Planetary Court —— Koreshan Unity Grounds
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