Historic Preservation

Preserving, conserving or restoring an historic resource is often complicated and challenging.  Preparing different types of documents to meet the criteria of a given project requires a combination of skills from a variety of professional backgrounds.  These include professional disciplines in history and building technology, a knowledge of the various resources available to owners of historic buildings, an ability to balance theory and practice, experience with solving complex problems and the ability to communicate issues effectively.

Each member of our staff has a Masters' Degree in Historic Preservation and a significant amount of professional experience with projects ranging from documentary research and historical assessment to materials analyses and construction supervision.   Therefore, we are equipped to address many different questions and issues in-house.

Noble Preservation designs each project to satisfy the needs and budget of each property and client.  Historic Structures Reports (HSRs) are the most widely-used and practical of our preservation documents.  Typically, HSRs involve historical research, an assessment of  significance, on-site and laboratory investigations and consultation with a project architect/ owner to formulate a guide to preserve, conserve or restore a given property.

National Register Nominations may be used both to distinguish historic properties and to help secure federal tax credits or other funding.  The nomination process generally consists of surveying and documenting the property, conducting archival research, investigating materials conditions and evaluating the property's significance and integrity within a comprehensive report. 

National Historic Landmark Nominations are reserved for properties with national cultural, political, social or architectural significance.  Like National Register Nominations, they are also used to secure project funding, and can open the door to even more distinction and opportunity. 

Our Historic Building Preservation Plans (HBPP) have been used to address specific project components, such as the restoration of decorative schemes or ornamental elements.  Typically, they integrate a fundamental understanding of a scheme or element as relates to the significance of a particular property.

Our experience in preparing these and other preservation planning documents have helped us develop a sound and efficient methodology for undertaking such projects using in-house staff and equipment.