Historic Properties

Preservation Standards

A property will be used as it was historically, or be given a new use that maximizes the retention of distinctive materials, features, spaces and spatial relationships. Where a treatment and use have not been identified, a property will be protected and, if necessary, stabilized until additional work may be undertaken.
The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The replacement of intact or repairable historic material or alteration of features, specifications and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.
Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place and use. Work needed to stabilize, consolidate and conserve existing historic materials and features will be physically and visually compatible, identifiable upon close inspection and properly documented for future research.
Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained and preserved.
Distinctive materials, features, finishes and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved.
The existing condition of historic features will be evaluated to determine the appropriate level of intervention needed. Where the severity of deterioration requires repair or limited replacement of a distinctive feature, the new material will match the old in composition, design, color and texture.
Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.
Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.