First of Its Kind Report Assists in Evaluating Post-WWII Properties | 9.26.2012
A new streamlined and consistent guide on the application of National Register Criteria for Evaluation of postwar residential housing was just released by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. The first of its kind, this innovative guide will help state Departments of Transportation, State Historic Preservation Offices and cultural resource professionals address the vast number of post-World War II properties now turning 50 years old when seeking to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The National Historic Preservation Act preserves historical and archaeological sites in the United States. Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider the effects of projects they carry out, approve or fund on historic properties.
Mead & Hunt, a national firm providing cultural resource services, prepared the model survey and evaluation methodology and national context for postwar residential development from 1946 through 1975. Mead & Hunt was assisted in this effort by the Louis Berger Group.
“States were looking for an innovative survey approach to identify this ever-growing class of resources,” said Amy Squitieri, vice president of Mead & Hunt and project lead on the NCHRP Report 723. “Key to the success of this project was the guidance we received from a research panel comprised of colleagues from DOTs, State Historic Preservation Offices and the National Park Service on considerations and needs in different states.”
The end result is a methodology that provides guidance to streamline the survey of subdivisions, neighborhoods and individual residences and consistent results when applying the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. The national historic context includes significant themes that shaped postwar residential development, including transportation; government programs and policies; social, economic and cultural trends; and material and architectural innovations.
Download a free copy of the NCHRP Report 723
For more information visit this detailed project description.
