Ontology & Knowledge Base

The field of historic preservation has developed a specialized vocabulary encompassing architectural styles, preservation treatments, regulatory programs, and technical terminology. Understanding these terms is essential for navigating the restoration process, communicating effectively with preservation professionals, and researching the history and appropriate treatment of historic properties.

Preservation Treatments

Preservation

The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property. Preservation focuses on maintenance and repair rather than replacement, keeping a property in its current state with minimal intervention. This approach is appropriate when a property retains significant original material and the goal is to prevent further deterioration.

Rehabilitation

The act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values. Rehabilitation is the most common treatment for historic homes, allowing adaptation for contemporary use while maintaining historic character. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation guide this work.

Restoration

The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. Restoration requires extensive documentary and physical evidence to support accurate reconstruction.

Reconstruction

The act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location. Reconstruction is appropriate only when accurate documentation exists and when no other buildings or structures from the same period survive.

Designation and Regulatory Terms

National Register of Historic Places

The official federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is administered by the National Park Service. Listing provides recognition and access to incentives but does not impose restrictions on private property owners.

Historic District

A geographically definable area, urban or rural, possessing a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical development. Districts may be listed on the National Register or designated locally. Contributing properties add to the district's historic significance; non-contributing properties do not.

Certified Local Government (CLG)

A local government (city or county) that has been certified by the National Park Service as meeting federal standards for local preservation programs. CLG status makes communities eligible for federal preservation grants and requires establishment of a local historic preservation commission and review procedures.

Section 106 Review

The process established by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requiring federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic properties and to afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to comment. This review applies to federally funded, licensed, or permitted projects that may affect historic properties.

Virginia Architectural Styles

Colonial (1607-1776)

Virginia's earliest architecture includes earthfast buildings, frame structures, and brick mansions. The Georgian style dominated from 1720-1780, featuring symmetrical facades, multi-pane double-hung sash windows, paneled doors with classical surrounds, and hipped or side-gable roofs. Representative Virginia examples include colonial Williamsburg and the James River plantation houses.

Federal (1780-1830)

Influenced by British Adam architecture and French classical traditions, Federal architecture features elliptical fanlights, delicate classical ornament, slender proportions, and delicate brickwork. Richmond's early neighborhoods and Alexandria's rowhouses exemplify Virginia Federal architecture.

Greek Revival (1830-1860)

Characterized by temple-like facades, columns or pilasters, heavy cornices, and broad proportions. Richmond's Court End District contains significant Greek Revival architecture.

Italianate (1840-1880)

Features low-pitched or flat roofs with bracketed cornices, tall narrow windows with hood moldings, and asymmetrical massing. Popular for both urban rowhouses and rural villas in Virginia.

Queen Anne (1880-1910)

Known for asymmetrical facades, complex rooflines with multiple gables, decorative shinglework, bay windows, and wraparound porches. Richmond's Fan District contains extensive Queen Anne architecture.

Colonial Revival (1880-1955)

A reinterpretation of colonial forms incorporating larger windows, more spacious floor plans, and modern amenities. Widespread throughout Virginia suburbs from the 1920s-1950s.

American Foursquare (1895-1930)

A simple boxy form with four rooms per floor, hipped roof, and full-width front porch. Common in Virginia neighborhoods of the early 20th century.

Technical Terminology

Character-Defining Features

The prominent or distinctive aspects, qualities, or characteristics of a historic property that contribute significantly to its physical character. These features must be preserved to maintain the property's historic significance. Examples include exterior materials, roof forms, window patterns, and significant interior spaces.

Historic Integrity

The authenticity of a property's historic identity, evidenced by the survival of physical characteristics that existed during the property's prehistoric or historic period. Seven aspects of integrity are recognized: location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.

Reversibility

The principle that restoration work should be done in a manner that allows future removal without damaging the historic fabric. This concept guides decisions about interventions in significant historic spaces and materials.

HABS/HAER

The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) document significant structures through measured drawings, large-format photographs, and written histories. These archives, housed at the Library of Congress, provide invaluable research resources.

Cultural Landscape

A geographic area, including both cultural and natural resources and the wildlife or domestic animals therein, associated with a historic event, activity, or person or exhibiting other cultural or aesthetic values. Historic landscapes include designed landscapes (gardens, parks), rural historic districts, and ethnographic landscapes.