Ask an Expert

By Megan Borthwick, Preservation Program Manager This year’s Experts Lecture Series focused on preserving historic cemeteries. Staff from the State Historic Preservation Division shared information about the National Register of Historic Places and burial sites in Hawai‘i. This lecture brought up the topic of criteria considerations and what types of properties need additional justification for listing on the Hawai‘i and National Registers. The Hawai‘i and National Registers of Historic Places are the official lists of the districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects worthy of preservation on the State and National level.  For a property to be eligible for listing on either of these registers, it must meet the criteria for significance in prehistory or history and retain sufficient historic integrity. The significance criteria are: (A) association with historic patterns or events, (B) association with important persons to history, (C) distinctive design or physical characteristics, or (D) potential to yield important information about history or prehistory. In addition to meeting on or more of the significance criteria, the historic property must also retain integrity of materials, design, feelings, location, association, workmanship, and setting to sufficiently demonstrate their significance. Certain types of properties are generally not considered eligible for inclusion on the historic register, but could be eligible if they meet additional criteria. These include (A) religious properties, (B) moved properties, (C) birthplaces or graves, (D) cemeteries, (E) reconstructed properties, (F) commemorative properties, or (G) properties that have achieved significance within less than 50 years. A cemetery would not normally be considered eligible for historic designation, unless it shows additional merit. In addition to meeting the basic criteria of significance and historic integrity, it must also demonstrate that the cemetery derives its primary significance from graves of [...]

By Megan Borthwick, Preservation Program Manager As advocates of preservation, we often hear things like, “why not tear it down – it’s in terrible condition?” or “it’s practically falling down – how could it be historic?” We sometimes even hear the opposite, such as “they did so many great improvements, why don’t you consider it historic anymore?” The answer is: condition and historic integrity are two different concepts that play a large role in defining what properties are eligible for the historic register and which properties are not eligible. A property that is eligible for the register of historic places meets a number of criteria. First, the architectural historian or archaeologist evaluates which criteria of significance the property falls under: (A) Historic Pattern or Event,  (B) Association with Important Person, (C) Architectural or Engineering, or (D) Potential for Information. Then the property’s ability to convey this significance, also known as historic integrity, is assessed. The property’s ability to convey its significance—that is, its historic integrity—must be intact in order for the property to be eligible for the Register of Historic Places. This means that the property must retain a majority of the seven aspects of historic integrity: Materials Design Feeling Location Association Workmanship Setting Condition, on the other hand, is an assessment of the physical state of the property and is usually listed as poor, fair, good, or excellent. Therefore, a historic property that has been well maintained and any work done to the property that followed the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties would have high integrity and excellent condition, while a property that had largely been left unchanged and not maintained would have high integrity and poor condition. Additionally, [...]

By Jessica Puff, State Historic Preservation Division Architectural Historian Management of cultural and historic resources would be impossible without having an idea what resources are where. Archaeologists conduct Archaeological Inventory Surveys to find what cultural resources are located within a specific project area (see “Ask An Expert” May 2014). Architectural historians conduct this same type of study for architectural historic resources. For the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD), survey and inventory is the foundation of everything that the office does. It provides them with the information needed to document the history of a place, build special educational and outreach programs that share that history, apply for grants that may help a community use the programming developed by SHPD, nominate the site(s) to the State and National Registers of Historic Places and help those sites become eligible for Federal Historic Tax Credits, while providing guidance for the preservation or restoration of places surveyed. Architectural Surveys are regulated by the same laws and standards as Archaeological Inventory Surveys, such as the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. There are a number of reasons to conduct a survey, including identification of resources within a project area under the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106, or Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 6E. Surveys are also conducted for planning purposes; land managers must have an idea what resources are within their management areas in order to effectively plan for the future. Once the purpose of a survey is clarified, the architectural historian decides which type of survey best fits; reconnaissance level survey (RLS) or intensive level survey (ILS). Both RLS and ILS collect the same type of data, but ILS provides additional information to inform nominations to [...]

Federal and State regulations require consultation and review for projects impacting historic properties, specifically, projects taking place on federal or state lands, or projects requiring permits from federal or state agencies. To understand how certain projects will impact historic properties within their Area of Potential Effect (APE), these resources first must be identified. As historic properties include different types of resources—such as landscapes, sites, districts, structures, and buildings—different approaches must be used to identify potentially significant resources. Much like an architectural survey, the purpose and goal of an archaeological inventory survey is to identify and assess the resources within the area that may be impacted by a proposed project. For all historic resources, the scope of the investigation, including the methodology, must be tailored to the type of resource by a qualified professional so the impacts of a project can be fairly assessed. An Archaeological Inventory Survey identifies historic properties, assessing the significance of the identified historic properties, and recommends appropriate mitigation. An AIS should be conducted by a qualified archaeologist who meets the educational and experience qualifications enumerated in the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualifications. The AIS can include a number of different methodologies, including pedestrian surveys as well as trenching. Determining what methodologies will be used depends primarily on the proposed project location and what the project involves. Research of previous archaeological studies and historic contexts of the area often reveal the potential for artifacts and the types of artifacts. Knowledge of the different strata in a given area provides a foundation for understanding what eras the artifacts date from. The footprint and type of ground disturbing activity is considered in determining the scope of work for the AIS (e.g. is the [...]

By Angie Westfall, Architectural Branch Chief, State Historic Preservation Division The State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) is mandated by Hawaii Revised Statute 6E “to provide leadership in preserving, restoring, and maintaining historic and cultural property...”  As part of this requirement,  HRS 6E-42 says that before any agency or officer of the State approves a permit for any project which may affect historic resources (defined by the State as “any building, structure, object, district, area, or site, including heiau and underwater site, which is over fifty years old”), the permitting agency must allow SHPD an opportunity for review and comment on the effect of the proposed project on historic properties. In order to complete these required reviews for structures; SHPD requests photos and plans for the proposed projects. Guidelines for these submittals may be obtained from the SHPD website or county planning and permitting departments. http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/shpd/architecture/SHPD-6E-Form.pdf When doing the architectural review SHPD staff first looks at the submitted photos with the goal of determining whether the property is potentially eligible for listing on the Hawaii and/or National Register of Historic Places.  The National Register Criteria for Evaluation guides this determination and looks at age, integrity, and significance: Age: Although nationally the 50-year age mark is only a guideline, in Hawaii it is the legal trigger established by the 6E Statute and the criteria permitting agencies use when determining which projects require SHPD review. Integrity simply means does it still look much the way it did in the past; would a person familiar with the resource during its period of significance still recognize it. Significance refers to whether the property is associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past; with the lives of [...]

By Barbara Shideler, Mason Architects, Inc. Photos Courtesy of Barbara Shideler, Mason Architects, Inc. The retention of original windows is always desirable, however a replacement window may be warranted when a sash or component is missing or has been replaced with an inappropriate type, or if the window is too deteriorated to repair. Replacement windows for missing or non-historic windows should be based on physical or pictorial documentation, when available. It is necessary to develop an understanding of how the window(s) contribute to the appearance of the facade and reflect the period, style, or regional characteristics of the building, or represent technological development. Factors to consider in evaluating a replacement window: The pattern of the openings and their size. The new windows should always fill the original window openings. Window placement in relation to the wall plane; the degree to which the window is recessed into the wall affects the three-dimensional appearance of the structure. Proportions and size of the frame and sash, and associated details such as arched tops, hoods, or other decorative elements. Glass type, size and configuration of panes. Sash width and depth, profile details. Materials and finish. While it may be possible to match all the significant characteristics of a historic window in a substitute material, in actuality, finish, profiles, dimensions and details are all affected by a change in material. In addition to the surface characteristics, vinyl-clad or enameled aluminum-clad windows may have joints in the cladding that can make them look very different from a painted wood window. Secondary window elements that do not match the finish or color of the window can also diminish the match. Examples include white vinyl tracks on dark-painted wood windows or wide, black, [...]

By Katie Kissling, Field Services Program Manager Living in Hawai‘i earthquakes are a possibility and it is important to ensure that historic structures are safe and that they will continue to stand for future generations to enjoy. Making a building safer in the event of an earthquake does not have to compromise the historic integrity of the building. The National Park Service put out a Preservation Brief, The Seismic Retrofit of Historic Buildings: Keeping Preservation in the Forefront, that provides detailed information about how to properly retrofit your historic building while maintain its’ historic character. http://www.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief41.htm The Brief notes that there are some important preservation principles to keep in mind: Historic materials should be preserved and retained to the greatest extent possible and not replaced wholesale in the process of seismic strengthening; New seismic retrofit systems, whether hidden or exposed, should respect the character and integrity of the historic building and be visually compatible with it in design; and, Seismic work should be “reversible” to the greatest extent possible to allow removal for future use of improved systems and traditional repair of remaining historic materials. When undertaking a seismic retrofit project it is important to assemble the right team of professionals who can help you to assess the needs of the building and undertake the project in a way that is sensitive to the historic character of the structure. A retrofit project that maintains the historic character of the building can be done, but requires proper planning to help ensure a good outcome. If you are thinking about seismically retrofitting your historic building Historic Hawai‘i Foundation maintains a list of Preservation Professionals and their areas of expertise. This resource may be helpful in assembling a [...]

Most Americans are embracing sustainable environmental practices such as making modifications to buildings to enhance their energy efficiency.  However, it is not always easy to install solar panels on historic buildings. The standards and guidelines used when making alterations to historic buildings, codified as the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, call for identifying and protecting character-defining features of historic buildings.  The roofline of a historic building is often a character-defining feature, so sensitivity is paramount when making exterior alterations, such as the installation of solar panels.  Sensitive alterations protect the integrity of the historic building, which can hold further importance to owners receiving a property tax exemption. Historic preservation guidelines for the sensitive placement of solar panels call for placing them in a way that is “minimally visible” and does not “alter historic character.”  For instance, changing the direction in which the panels are tilted can affect their visibility and reduce their impact on the character of the historic property.  In other cases, solar panels can provide a dual-function or be shielded from view through appropriate placement at the rear of the property or a screen of tall plantings. The National Park Service, which is charged with carrying out the mandate of the National Historic Preservation Act, provides further information about how to incorporate solar panels in a rehabilitation project in a Technical Preservation Brief available at http://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/rehabilitation/guidelines/solar-technology.htm.  NPS also recently released “Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings” to address design considerations when increasing the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of historic buildings.  View the guidelines here.

By Glenn Mason, AIA One way to look at door, window and cabinet hardware is as the jewelry of a building.  Retaining the original hardware of a historic residence—or installing period-appropriate hardware when the original hardware is missing or deteriorated—is the only way to properly dress the house.  It is surprising how often original locksets can be refurbished and retained very economically, either by the homeowners themselves or by a professional.  This is especially true if the hardware is of good quality brass or bronze.  Plated steel hinges and lock escutcheons are more of a challenge, but these can be cleaned and/or re-plated if in relatively good condition. If the original hardware is very deteriorated, it is important to replace it with duplicate hardware designs.  If it is missing, then period-appropriate hardware should be used.  For example, it would be inappropriate to install Art Deco-style hardware on a house built in 1915, or (with rare exceptions) ornate Victorian hardware designs in a 1930s residence. Duplicate hardware is frequently still available and can often be found through Crown City Hardware (the widest selection); Van Dyke Restorers; Rejuvenation; Restoration Hardware, or for older designs, Ball & Ball Hardware in New York.  All of these companies have websites that show their product lines best. Ball & Ball will also custom fabricate hardware items.  They fabricated the replacement hardware for the doors in ‘Iolani Palace, whose nickel-plated, Victorian designs exemplify the concept of building jewelry.  Another source for duplicate hardware is to use the web to search salvage shops for historic hardware.  We have found this most productive for replacing historic lighting, but many shops carry salvaged hardware as well. Glenn Mason, AIA, is founder and president of Mason [...]