National Park Service (Department of Interior) Historic Preservation Briefs provide detailed guidance on preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic buildings. Are you looking for historic preservation information to restore a historic property? Likewise, are you looking to draft a full rehabilitation plan to quality for State/Federal tax credits? Maybe you just want to gain a better understanding of old buildings, and the proper way to restore an old house? So, from masonry, to windows, plaster, and even old barns…the Preservation Briefs from the National Park Service have you covered!
Tax Incentives
Most noteworthy, the Preservation Briefs are especially useful to Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program applicants. Even more, they recommend methods and approaches for rehabilitating historic buildings that are consistent with their historic character. Finally, for your convenience, we’ve consolidated all 50 Preservation Briefs right here!
Preservation by Topic
CLICK HERE for literally hundreds of the National Park Service publications, listed by topic (A – Z). You could literally browse here ALL day on different preservation/restoration topics. This index has you covered from asbestos, to nickel finishes, character-defining features, to shotgun houses! It has it ALL!!!
How to Preserve – Preservation Tech Notes and Case Studies
Although a bit dated, The National Park Service also has some good technical documents and case studies on topics such as doors, windows, exterior woodwork, and much more! LEARN MORE
Preservation Briefs
- Cleaning and Water-Repellent Treatments for Historic Masonry Buildings
- Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings
- Improving Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings
- Roofing for Historic Buildings
- The Preservation of Historic Adobe Buildings
- Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings
- The Preservation of Historic Glazed Architectural Terra-Cotta
- Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings: The Appropriateness of Substitute Materials for Resurfacing Historic Wood Frame Buildings
- The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows
- Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork
- Rehabilitating Historic Storefronts
- The Preservation of Historic Pigmented Structural Glass (Vitrolite and Carrara Glass)
- The Repair and Thermal Upgrading of Historic Steel Windows
- New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings: Preservation Concerns
- Preservation of Historic Concrete
- The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors
- Architectural Character—Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to Preserving their Character
- Rehabilitating Interiors in Historic Buildings—Identifying Character-Defining Elements
- The Repair and Replacement of Historic Wooden Shingle Roofs
- The Preservation of Historic Barns
- Repairing Historic Flat Plaster—Walls and Ceilings
- The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco
- Preserving Historic Ornamental Plaster
- Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling Historic Buildings: Problems and Recommended Approaches
- The Preservation of Historic Signs
- The Preservation and Repair of Historic Log Buildings
- The Maintenance and Repair of Architectural Cast Iron
- Painting Historic Interiors
- The Repair, Replacement, and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs
- The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs
- Mothballing Historic Buildings
- Making Historic Properties Accessible
- The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stained and Leaded Glass
- Applied Decoration for Historic Interiors: Preserving Historic Composition Ornament
- Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation
- Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Management of Historic Landscapes
- Appropriate Methods of Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Housing
- Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry
- Holding the Line: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings
- Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors
- The Seismic Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings
- The Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Historic Cast Stone
- The Preparation and Use of Historic Structure Reports
- The Use of Awnings on Historic Buildings: Repair, Replacement and New Design
- Preserving Historic Wooden Porches
- The Preservation and Reuse of Historic Gas Stations
- Maintaining the Exterior of Small and Medium Size Historic Buildings
- Preserving Grave Markers in Historic Cemeteries
- Historic Decorative Metal Ceilings and Walls: Use, Repair, and Replacement
- Lightning Protection for Historic Buildings
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