HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORTS
The historic structure report (HSR) is the primary guide to treatment and use of a historic structure and may also be used in managing a prehistoric structure. A separate HSR should be prepared for every major structure managed as a cultural resource. Groups of similar structures or ensembles of small, simple structures may be addressed in a single report. In no case should restoration, reconstruction, or extensive rehabilitation of any structure be undertaken without an approved HSR, Parts 1 and 2.
An HSR includes the following:
Management Summary. This is a concise account of research done to produce the HSR, major research findings, major issues identified in the task directive, and recommendations for treatment and use. Administrative data on the structure and related studies are included.
Part 1, Developmental History, is a scholarly report documenting the evolution of a historic structure, its current condition, and the causes of its deterioration. It is based on documentary research and physical examination. The scope of documentary research may extend beyond the physical development of the structure if needed to clarify the significance of the resource or to refine contextual associations; however, major historical investigation of contextual themes or background information should be conducted as part of a historic resource study. If the Inventory and Condition Assessment Program (ICAP) is used to describe the nature and condition of features, resultant reports (e.g., the historic asset assessment report) should be included in the HSR's appendix.
Part 2, Treatment and Use, presents and evaluates alternative uses and treatments for a historic structure. Emphasis is on preserving extant historic material and resolving conflicts that might result from a structure's "ultimate treatment." Part 2 concludes by recommending a treatment and use responding to objectives identified by park management. In most cases, design work does not go beyond schematics.
Part 3, Record of Treatment, is a compilation of information documenting actual treatment. It includes accounting data, photographs, sketches, and narratives outlining the course of work, conditions encountered, and materials used.
All aspects of a historic structure and its immediate grounds should be addressed in an HSR. Potential overlaps with other cultural resource types and natural resource issues should be identified, and applicable studies and reports should be called for or referenced. An HSR and analogous reports (e.g., a cultural landscape report) may be combined to address multiple resource types at a single property or area.
MODEL HSR CONTENTS i. Cover Page ii. Table of Contents iii. Executive Summary. This introductory text provides a concise account of (a) research done to produce the HSR, (b) major research findings, (c) major issues identified in the task directive, and (d) recommenda-tions for treatment or use. Deviations from general planning documents should be identified here and discussed more fully in the body of the report. iv. Administrative Data. This section contains (a) names, numbers, and locational data used to refer to the historic structure, (b) the proposed treatment of the structure including the source document, (c) related studies, (d) cultural resource data including date listed in the National Register, period of significance, and context of significance, and (e) recommendations for documentation, cataloging, and storage of materials generated by the HSR. PART 1. DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY A. Historical Background and Context. This section briefly describes the people and events associated with the structure. The section should establish a recommended period or periods of significance if this has not been done in the National Register nomination or historic resource study (HRS). B. Chronology of Development and Use. Physical construction, modification, and use of the struc-ture is summarized in this section. The text should be based on historical documentation with corroboration from first-hand observation and materials analysis. C. Physical Description. This section contains a systematic accounting of all features, materials, and spaces according to age, significance, and condition. Copies of computer-generated inspection reports should be included in the appendix but summarized in the body of the chapter. The text should also discuss causes of deterioration and structural adequacy. PART 2. TREATMENT AND USE A. Ultimate Treatment and Use. This narrative discusses and analyzes the ultimate treatment and use of the structure as defined in park planning documents. If they have not been defined, this section may recommend an ultimate treatment and use. If analysis of the structure suggests that a planned treatment or use would adversely affect it, the text may present an alternative approach. B. Requirements for Treatment. In concise terms, this text outlines applicable laws, regula-tions, and functional requirements. Specific attention should be given to issues of human safety, fire protection, energy conservation, abatement of hazardous materials, and handicapped accessibility. C. Alternatives for Treatment. This section presents and evaluates alternative approaches to realization of the ultimate treatment. Alternatives are presented in both text and graphic form. Analysis addresses the adequacy of each solution in terms of impact on historic materials, effect on historic character, compliance with NPS policy, and other management objectives. The section concludes with elaboration on the recommended course of action and specific recommendations for preservation treatments. PART 3. RECORD OF TREATMENT A. Completion Report. This section summarizes (a) the intent of the work, (b) the way in which the work was approached and accomplished, (c) the time required to do the work, and (d) the cost of the work. It also describes any information about the history of the structure based on physical evidence discovered during construction. B. Technical Data. This portion of the report contains copies of field reports, material data sheets, field notes, correspondence, accounting spread sheets, and contract summaries. APPENDIX Bibliography
Drawings
Photographs
Materials Analysis
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Parts 1 and 2 of an HSR should be prepared jointly as part of a comprehensive effort soon after acquisition of a structure or recognition of its status as a cultural resource. Given funding and time constraints, however, an HSR may be prepared incrementally. Incremental research and design should also be considered when a complete HSR does not exist or an existing HSR does not adequately address aspects of a proposed treatment such as replication of missing features, removal of significant features or large amounts of historic material, or introduction of new systems or exterior additions. In no case should a Part 2 be prepared without a Part 1.
The scope, level of investigation, and extent of schematic development are outlined in a task directive that is based on the recommendations of a historical architect in consultation with other cultural resource specialists and the park manager. Major factors considered in developing the task directive include the structure's significance, condition, and intended use. The task directive should also address participation of other cultural resource specialists and publication of the document.
The following standards apply:
A historic structure report (HSR) is prepared to minimize loss of character-defining features and materials whenever existing information about the developmental history and condition of the historic structure does not provide an adequate basis upon which to address anticipated management objectives, whenever alternative courses of action for impending treatment and use could have adverse effects, or to record treatment.
Architectural, landscape, and archeological investigations supporting an HSR have the least possible impact on the property studied and employ nondestructive methods to the maximum extent possible; they are prescribed and justified in a task directive that includes a research design and impact analysis.
b. Graphic Documentation
Documentation of historic structures is undertaken to record preservation treatment, provide a baseline for monitoring, aid in interpretation, support scholarly research, and serve as an objective reference for repair or reconstruction in the event of damage or loss. The scope, method, and level of documentation of a structure should be proportional to its significance as a cultural resource, the character of its features, the degree to which it is endangered, and the ways in which the documentation is most likely to be used.
All documentation is done in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Architectural and Engineering Documentation (see Appendix C). Where recording is done to establish a baseline for planning or before demolition, the following documentation levels are recommended: Level I for Category Ia structures, Level II for Category Ib structures, Level III for Category II structures, and Level IV for Category III structures.
New materials and replacement features introduced should be recorded in place with photographs or drawings that clearly indicate their extent. Physical evidence of the developmental history of a structure should be recorded before being removed or covered during treatment. Copies of task directives, daily reports, and change orders should also be retained in park files.
c. Archival Considerations
Although comprehensive, in-depth research is an ideal foundation for preservation work, most information about historic structures is collected on a piecemeal basis throughout the resource management process. Primary information sources include contextual studies, records of treatment, records of structural monitoring, photographic and graphic documentation, and reports of material analysis and archival research. To maximize the benefit of this work and minimize potential data loss, all field notes, primary documents, original maps, drawings, photographs, material samples, and oral histories generated during resource management are organized and preserved as archival material or museum objects in consultation with the park or support office curator.
