HomeMy WebLinkAboutResource PacketResources for Historic Commercial and Residential Property Owners
Listed below is a collection of websites and publications that may be useful when caring for historic buildings. This collection of resources is intended as a starting point for historic
preservation research, not an explicit guide for projects involving historic buildings. Additional helpful information is readily available, and further investigation is encouraged.
Guidelines for Historical Research
Research is an essential step of any historic preservation endeavor. "Remembering Texas: Guidelines for Historical Research," developed by the Texas Historical Commission, provides
valuable information and instructions on conducting research about historic Texas properties. Although the publication addresses Official Texas Historical Markers and listing on the
National Register of Historic Places, explanations of criteria, research methods, documentation, and research sources and collections are beneficial to local researchers. A copy of
this free publication can be downloaded at the following address: http://www.thc.state.tx.us/publications/pubdefault.html.
Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
The standards were established by the Secretary of the Interior to promote responsible preservation practices to protect our important cultural resources. The standards identify the
following four treatment approaches for historic buildings. Guidance for selecting an appropriate treatment and additional information can be found online at http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/standguide/in
ex.htm.
Preservation
The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property. Work, including preliminary measures to protect and
stabilize the property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and features rather than extensive replacement and new construction. New exterior
additions are not within the scope of this treatment; however, the limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make
properties functional is appropriate within a preservation project.
Rehabilitation
The act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical,
cultural, or architectural values.
Restoration
The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other
periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. The limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and other
code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within a restoration project.
Reconstruction
The act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of
replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location.
Historic Preservation Websites
Heritage Preservation Services http://www2.cr.nps.gov/
Heritage Preservation Services, a division of the National Park Service, assists citizens and communities to identify, evaluate, protect and preserve historic properties for future generations.
Included below are publications of the Heritage Preservation Services that may be beneficial.
Technical Preservation Services for Historic Buildings
http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/index.htm
Preservation Briefs
http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/briefs/presbhom.htm
The Good Guides
http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/care/sitemap.htm
What You Can Do
http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/whatyou.htm
The websites listed below provide general information about construction issues encountered by historic property owners. The available resources include construction guides, databases
of historic material suppliers, and directories of regional services.
Historic Home Works
http://www.historichomeworks.com/hhw/index.htm
Historic Properties
http://www.historicproperties.com/resources.htm
Old House Chronicle
http://www.oldhousechronicle.com/
Old House Journal
http://www.oldhousejournal.com/
The Old House Web
http://www.oldhouseweb.com
This Old House Online
http://www.thisoldhouse.com
Preservation Web
http://www.preservationweb.com/
Resources and Research Tools for Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Management
http://preservationdirectory.com/
Salvage Web - Architectural Salvage Exchange
http://salvageweb.com
World of Old Houses: A Guide to Caring For and Restoring Your Old House
http://www.oldhouses.com.au/
Books
The following publications are produced by the Technical Preservation Services of the National Park Service. These materials and purchasing information can be located in the Publications
Catalog on the Technical Preservation Services website (http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/). Some titles are available in libraries and bookshops throughout the United States.
Auer, Michael, et al. Interiors Handbook for Historic Buildings.
Caring for Your Historic House.
Fisher, Charles, ed. The Windows Handbook: Successful Strategies for Rehabilitating Windows in Historic Buildings.
Interiors Handbook for Historic Buildings, Volume II.
Jester, Thomas C., ed. Twentieth Century Building Materials: History and Conservation.
Preserving the Recent Past.
Preserving the Recent Past II.
Roofing Handbook for Historic Buildings.
Weeks, Kay and Anne Grimer, ed. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Illustrated Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring,
and Reconstructing Historic Buildings.
Weeks, Kay and Diane Maddex, ed. Respectful Rehabilitation: Answers to Your Questions on Historic Buildings.
Window Rehabilitation Guide for Historic Buildings.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (http://www.preservationbooks.org) recommends the following titles. Some of the publications are available in libraries and bookshops throughout
the United States.
Fine, Adrian Scott. Protecting America's Historic Neighborhoods: Taming the Teardown Trend.
Foulks, William, ed. Historic Building Facades: The Manual.
Historic Homes and Neighborhoods Set.
Nylander, Jane. Fabrics for Historic Buildings: A Guide to Selecting Reproduction Fabrics.
Terrell, Greta. Getting to Know Your 20th-Century Neighborhood.
Von Rosenstiel, Helene. Floor Coverings for Historic Buildings: A Guide to Selecting Reproduction.
Wagner, Richard. Buyer's Guide to Older and Historic Houses.
Wagner, Richard. New Old House Starter Kit.
Zagar, Julie, ed. Preservation Yellow Pages: The Complete Information Source for Homeowners, Communities and Professionals.
Additional Titles
Weaver, Martin E. Conserving Buildings: A Manual of Techniques and Materials.