Different Preservation Standards
What does it mean to “preserve” a historic building? A. Preserve all the battle scars of the building’s history as we see it today. B. Restore the glory days and make the building look as it once did C. Keep history alive by continuing to use the building in new ways D. Bring back the dead and rebuild history that would otherwise be forgotten And the answer is… E. All of the above. Options A through D above refer to different WAYS that a building can be preserved. Each treatment option corresponds to a written set of guidelines and standards, compliments of the Secretary of the Interior division of the National Park Service. Any of the options may be the right fit for your historic preservation project, but you can only choose one. Review the descriptions below and identify which treatment best aligns to your preservation intentions. A. Preservation Option A sets the foundation of best practices for all of the options: Preserve as much material history as possible Retain the historic character Recognize the physical record of time, place, and use Save special materials, features, and craftsmanship Work gently, don’t use harsh chemicals or tough treatments Protect archeological resources This option was ideal for preserving the Samuel B. Strait House by repointing the original 1857 stone-walls to maintain and protect the building for another generation. B. Restoration Restoration follows the same principals as Option A, except that all work is done to preserve a specific time in the building’s history. For example, if someone added a window after the chosen period of significance, then Option B would call for infilling the opening. This option was ideal for restoring the R.F. Jones (Longfellow) House interior after it was altered for use as a public library and then damaged by […]