FAQs
Q: What is Historic Preservation?
A: Historic Preservation is defined
as the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the
existing form, integrity, and materials of a 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.
Q: What exactly do you do?
A: We provide a full range of cultural resource
services, specializing in developmental histories and historic contexts,
National Register and National Historic Landmark nominations, cultural
resource studies and historic structures reports. We also provide Section
106 compliance services and federal and state historic preservation
tax credit program consultation.
Q: Are you 36CFR Part 61 qualified?
A. Yes, we are highly trained and
experienced professional historians and architectural historians with
over 50 years combined experience with historic properties nationwide.
Q: Are your services free?
A: No. Our consultation, research, recordation
and evaluation services are reasonably priced according to the standards
of our industry.
Q: Are you architects or engineers?
A: No. We are historians and architectural
historians. For projects requiring services of architects, engineers
or archaeologists, we maintain associations with several highly qualified
firms with whom we consult or subcontract.
Q: Is your practice limited to a particular geographic area?
A: No.
We are based in Maryland, but we are active throughout the United States.
Q: I just purchased an old house. Can you tell me when it was built?
A:
Yes. We provide consultations beginning with a minimum one-hour site
visit and walk-through and can extend to research and a written report
priced at an hourly rate.
Q: I want to list my house in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the process?
A: First, the property must meet National
Register eligibility requirements. Generally it must be at least 50
years old and retain “integrity” (authenticity).
The process involves completing the National Register nomination
form which includes a physical description and statement of significance
explaining how the property is eligible for listing under at
least one of the four criteria. In addition, the form includes a historic
context with the property’s history placed into the larger history
of its locale. Photographs and maps complete the submission. The nomination
goes to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for review
and then on to the State Review Board for official nomination. The National
Register makes the final listing. The process usually takes
six months to a year.
Q: What is Section 106 and should I be concerned about it?
A: Section
106 refers to that part of the National Historic preservation Act of
1966 which requires federal agencies to consider the impact of their
work on historic properties. If a federal permit of funding affects
your historic property, the Section 106 compliance process must take
place. Many states have their own version of this law concerning
state funded or permitted projects.
