The oldest house in the world, the Knap of Howar located on the Faroe Islands, is thought to date back to around 3600 BC — and it’s still standing!
The word “historic” is often used to describe people, places, and things that have been around for a while, but just being old doesn’t indicate that a residential or commercial property has historical significance. Here in the U.S., there are more than 98,000 properties that the National Register of Historic Places recognizes for their historical significance in American history, architecture, art, archeology, engineering, and culture.
Here, we cover how to tell whether you’ve got a historic property on your hands and how Renaissance Historic Exteriors is uniquely positioned to help you with your repairs and restorations if so.
What makes a property historic?
While the criteria for official historical significance vary by location, the National Register generally considers a property’s age, significance, and integrity; the property has to be at least 50 years old and keep the aesthetic that it had in the past. They also look to see if it’s associated with any important historical events or developments — whether that’s with the people, the location, or even the architecture.
If, after a review by your state’s historic preservation office and the state’s National Register Review Board, they decide that your property has historical significance, you’ll receive an official listing and a variety of other benefits that include everything from a plaque to possible tax benefits.
How to verify whether your property has historical significance
Determining whether your property has historical significance is not as challenging or nebulous as it may seem. In fact, there are a handful of practical things you can do to know for sure if your commercial or residential property has historic value. And, in the event your property does not have historical significance, taking these actions can provide a better understanding of your property’s strengths and weaknesses.
Examine the architectural style and features
A little research into the architectural style and features of your property is perhaps the first step in identifying whether your structure has historical significance. For example, examining the shape of your structure, the trim, projections, openings, and roofing material can tell a large part of your structure’s story, and comparing these features against those of historic properties can also help you confirm whether your property is in fact historic.
Check your local historic registers
Contacting your local or regional historic preservation office or historical society is a good place to start when evaluating the historical nature of your property. Not only can these entities shed light on the historical value of your property, they can usually provide important documentation to help support any historic claims.
Consult historical maps or atlases
Historical maps or atlases can provide more context on the architectural features of your property. These documents can also illuminate why elements of your property were constructed or configured in a certain way.
For example, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps were published in the 19th and 20th centuries by the Sanborn Map Company to help fire insurance companies better understand their liability in large urban areas. These kinds of maps can help property owners better estimate the age of the property, and account for any unique construction features.
Research property records
Deeds, maps, and previous owner information can help better contextualize your property in terms of when the structure was built, the original owners, and any historically significant materials or architectural features. Property records can also help you construct a more accurate, verifiable ownership history, and this can further contextualize the historical nature of your property.
Investigate building permits and construction records
Building permits from your city or county building department can paint a vivid portrait of the service and repair history of your property, and this can help you piece together a more complete timeline of your property, from its original construction to present day.
Plus, construction records make it easier to chronicle previous restoration work, and, in some cases, they can offer a more detailed look at specific restorations, including the contractor of record and materials used.
Review census records and local archives
Census records can offer a glimpse on the previous property owners and occupants of the structure. Plus, reviewing historical information at your local library can make it easier to place your property in the historical timeline of your city, town, or municipality. The ability to trace previous property owners and occupants can provide context as to the historical significance of your property.
At Renaissance Historic Exteriors, we’re the recognized authority on historic restorations and have long-standing relationships with a vast network of experts around the world to help provide the highest-quality materials for your restoration — from clay roof tiles to natural slate. Whether your property is officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places or not, reach out to our team of experts to bring new life to its historical details.
