Federal Preservation Guidelines and Other Resources
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings
The intent of the Standards (Department of Interior regulations, 36 CFR 67) is to assist the long-term preservation of a property's significance through the preservation of historic materials and features. The Standards pertain to historic buildings of all materials, construction types, sizes and occupancy and encompass the exterior and interior of the buildings. They also encompass related landscape features and the building's site and environment, as well as attached, adjacent, or related new construction. To be certified for Federal tax purposes, a rehabilitation project must be determined by the Secretary to be consistent with the historic character of the structure(s), and where applicable, the district in which it is located. In brief, these standards are:
- New uses shall make minimal changes to character-defining features,
- Removal of historic features or changes to spaces that characterize a property should be avoided
- Changes that create a false sense of history should be avoided.
- Changes that have acquired their own historic significance shall be retained.
- Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques shall be retained.
- Deteriorated features shall be repaired rather than replaced.
- Chemical or physical treatments that can cause damage shall not be used.
- Significant archeological resources shall be preserved and threats mitigated.
- Additions or alterations shall not destroy historical materials, and shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
- New additions or alterations should be removable, without damaging the original form and integrity of the property.
The complete document may be seen here.
Other Resources
Property owners looking for guidelines, suggestions and ideas to assist with the restoration of their building are encouraged to explore the websites listed below, as many other locations throughout the country are also actively preserving the Pueblo and Mission Revival buildings that characterize their hometowns.
