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The_Secretary_of_the_Interior_s_Strandards_for_the_Treatment_of_Historic_Properties_With_Guidelines_

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR'S STANDARDS

 

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties clearly outline the fundamental principles of historic preservation.  The Standards are used by federal agencies, as well as nationally by state and local entities, historic districts, and planning commissions.  The Standards are the core of the Jefferson Park HPOZ Preservation Plan.


“The Design guidelines of this Preservation Plan have been developed in concert with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, a set of standards used nationally for the review of projects at historic sites and districts.  All projects should comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and where more specific guidelines have been set for by this Preservation Plan, the guidelines herein.” Jefferson Park HPOZ Preservation Plan, p. 68


Standard #6 lies at the heart of historic preservation: “Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than be replaced.  Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old…”

Secretary of Interior's Standards: About Us

THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR’S STANDARDS FOR REHABILITATION:

1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.


2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.


3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.


4. Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.


5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a historic property shall be preserved.


6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.


7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.


8. Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.


9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work 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.


10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.

Secretary of Interior's Standards: Text
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