Historic Preservation

The Museum receives many questions about the preservation and/or restoration of buildings. Our staff is not qualified to answer these types of queries. Accordingly, the following links have been provided to give an authoritative source for answers to some of the more commonly asked questions.

Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings

The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings are excellent resources for all work done on historic homes. These guidelines are used to determine whether the historic character of a building is preserved in the process of rehabilitation. The guidelines recommend responsible methods and approaches and list treatments that should be avoided.
A copy of these resources can also be obtained from your State Historic Preservation office, from the Government Printing Office, or downloaded online by visiting: Secretary of Interior’s Standards – National Park Service

The National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archaeological resources.

A National Register designation mandates that a property must be considered in the planning of federal or federally assisted projects impacting the registered property, and qualifies it for financial assistance from governmental funds for historic preservation when these funds are available.

The National Register web site offers general information about the program, specific information about registered properties, guidelines for nominating properties, and publications. You can also search to find out if a home is listed on the National Register. To access the National Register website, visit: National Register of Historic Places Program: Fundamentals – National Park Service

The National Register of Historic Places can also be contacted by mail or telephone as follows:

National Register of Historic Places
National Park Service
P.O. Box 37127
Washington, District of Columbia 20013
(202) 354-2213

The Idaho State Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office

The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) was established in 1971 as a result of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966.  The NHPA was passed to help ensure the stewardship of our irreplaceable heritage which is vital to maintain and enrich our cultural, historical and educational experiences for ourselves and future generations.

Like other states, the Idaho SHPO is supported by a grant through the National Park Service.  SHPO programs focus on seven major areas, as outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act:

The Section 106 Review process provides a local voice for history in federal project planning. In meeting all of these responsibilities, the SHPO works closely with federal and state agencies, local governments, tribal governments, citizen groups, and property owners.  Program staff consists of professionals from the fields of archaeology, architectural history, history, and historic preservation.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation helps thousands of people each month answer their preservation questions. This assistance takes many forms, including contact information, answers to frequently asked questions, and publications on specific subjects. You can visit the National Trust web site at: PreservationNation – National Trust for Historic Preservation

Idaho Heritage Trust

The Idaho Heritage Trust funds historic preservation projects on public and private properties for buildings of historic significance. This grant covers half of preservation costs, up to $10,000, and require a 1:1 cash match.  For more information, visit: Idaho Heritage Trust – Fund your project

Preservation Idaho, Historic Cemetery Preservation

For 40 years, Preservation Idaho has worked to protect historic places of significance to Idahoans. Though at times limited in its ability to affect real change outside of the Treasure Valley, Preservation Idaho has worked across the state in small ways and large to preserve the architecture and history that makes Idaho unique. Visit: preservationidaho.org