Field Survey

Introduction

What is a survey?

Survey means a process of identifying and gathering data on a community's historic resources. It includes field survey- the physical search for and recording of historic resources on the ground-but it also includes planning and background research before field survey begins, organization and presentation of survey data as the survey proceeds, and the development of inventories.

U.S. Supreme Court decision Penn Central Transportation Co. v. New York City

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1977/1977_77_444

Do words matter?Survey data refers to the raw data produced by the survey; that is, all the

information gathered on each property and area investigated.

An inventory is one of the basic products of a survey. An inventory is an organized compilation of information on those properties that are evaluated as significant.

Evaluation is the process of determining whether identified properties meet defined criteria of historical, architectural, archeological, or cultural significance. In other words, evaluation involves winnowing the survey data to produce an inventory.

Survey can be conducted at a variety of scales, producing different kinds of survey

data applicable to different needs. These will be discussed in detail later in this publication.

What is a historic resource?

Why undertake a historic resource survey?

• to identify a community’s historic resources • Identify special character and cultural depth• define the historic character of a community

or a particular area • basis for integrating survey information with

other planning data

Market House 1814 Presbyterian Church

What about the common houses?

Colonial Revival: green Dutch Colonial Revival: yellow Cape Cod: blue American Four-Square: purple Spanish Colonial Revival: red Modern: pink

Sequence of Preservation actions

1. Setting standards or criteria that define what is worth preserving.

2. Undertaking a survey to locate and describe resources potentially to be saved.

3. Evaluating the resources discovered in the survey against the standards established in step one.

4. Giving those properties that qualify “official status” in some way. This is Listing on the National Register

5. Following up with protective measures.

CONTEXTSDecisions about the identification, evaluation, registration and treatment of historic properties are most reliably made when the relationship of individual properties to other similar properties is understood. Information about historic properties representing aspects of history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture must be collected and organized to define these relationships.

This organizational framework is called a "historic context." The historic context organizes information based on a cultural theme and its geographical and chronological limits. Contexts describe the significant broad patterns of development in an area that may be represented by historic properties. The development of historic contexts is the foundation for decisions about identification, evaluation, registration and treatment of historic properties.

Standards for Identification:

• Standard I Identification of historic properties is undertaken to the degree required to make decisions.

• Standard II. Results of identification activities are integrated into the preservation planning process.

• Standard III. Identification activities include explicit procedures for record-keeping and information distribution.

OAHP1403Rev. 9/98 COLORADO CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY Architectural Inventory Form

I. IDENTIFICATION1. Resource number: 2. Temporary resource number: 3. County: 4. City: 5. Historic building name: 6. Current building name: 7. Building address: 8. Owner name and address:

II. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION9. P.M. Township Range

¼ of ¼ of ¼ of ¼ of section

10. UTM referenceZone ; mE mN11. USGS quad name: Year: Map scale: 7.5' 15' Attach photo copy of appropriate map section. 12. Lot(s): Block: Addition: Year of Addition: 13. Boundary Description and Justification:

III. Architectural Description14. Building plan (footprint, shape): 15. Dimensions in feet: Length

x Width 16. Number of stories: 17. Primary external wall material(s):18. Roof configuration: 19. Primary external roof material:20. Special features: 21. General architectural description: Architectural style/building type: Landscaping or special setting features: Associated buildings, features, or objects:

IV. ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY25. Date of Construction: Estimate: Actual: Source of information: 26. Architect: Source of information: 27. Builder/Contractor: Source of information: 28. Original owner: Source of information: Construction history (include description and dates of major additions, alterations, or demolitions): 30. Original location Moved Date of move(s):

V. HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS31. Original use(s): 32. Intermediate use(s): 33. Current use(s): 34. Site type(s): 35. Historical background: 36. Sources of information:

VI. SIGNIFICANCE37. Local landmark designation: Yes No Date of designation: Designating authority: 38. Applicable National Register Criteria: A. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad pattern of our history; B. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; C. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or D. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory. Qualifies under Criteria Considerations A through G (see Manual) Does not meet any of the above National Register criteria

Area(s) of significance: 40. Period of significance: 41. Level of significance: National State Local 42. Statement of significance: 43. Assessment of historic physical integrity related to significance:

VII. NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT44. National Register eligibility field assessment:

Eligible Not Eligible Need Data 45. Is there National Register district potential? Yes No Discuss:

If there is National Register district potential, is this building: Contributing Noncontributing 46. If the building is in existing National Register district, is it: Contributing Noncontributing VIII. RECORDING INFORMATIONPhotograph numbers:

Negatives filed at: 48. Report title: 49. Date(s): 50. Recorder(s): 51. Organization: 52. Address: 53. Phone number(s): NOTE: Please include a sketch map, a photocopy of the USGS quad map indicating resource location, and photographs.

Standards for evaluation

• Standard I. Evaluation of the significance of historic properties uses established criteria.

• Standard II. Evaluation of significance applies the criteria within historic contexts.

• Standard III. Evaluation results in a list or inventory of significant properties that is consulted in assigning registration and treatment priorities.

• Standard IV. Evaluation results are made available to the public.

Developing a Research Design I

• Establish Objectives– Why undertake survey?

• Establish goals– What is the survey trying to accomplish?

• Establish Survey Priorities• Establish Survey Coverage

Developing a Research Design II

Defining the methods of surveyMethodology for fieldwork

– Level of documentation (reconnaissance, intensive)

– Type of survey (comprehensive or selective)

Background research: What types of documents to consult?

Developing a Research Design III

• Establish a procedure for processing the survey data and photographs

• Establish a procedure for public participation• Establish a schedule for tasks.

Results

• Expectations—based upon background research and analogy to other areas– Kind– Number– Location– Character– Condition

Survey Data and Development

• Identify development assets such as historic buildings suitable for rehabilitation and adaptive use

• Identify community goals and social interests and concerns, especially with reference to the goals of neighborhood groups, social groups, businesses,

• Provide a basis for measuring aspects of the social impact of a proposed development, by identifying the kinds of changes that will be welcome and those that will be distasteful to those who value the character of the areas that may be affected.

• Aid assessment of a project's catalytic potential, by identifying properties and areas with the potential for rehabilitation and reuse in the vicinity of a proposed development project.

Survey?Make it Comprehensive !

– An initial formulation of historic contexts that may have characterized the community's history;

– Whether the community is likely to have significant prehistoric or historic archeological resources, and in what areas these may be concentrated;

– The general types of buildings and structures that make up the community's built environment, and what their major important characteristics are;

– The general locations and boundaries of likely historic districts;– The general nature and characteristics of any cultural landscapes;

and– The social and cultural characteristics of the community and its

neighborhoods that may influence preservation decisions.