In last week’s blog post, I reviewed some important information about the Determination of Eligibility (DOE) process in Pennsylvania. This included what a DOE is, how to figure out where to start if you’d like to have your property evaluated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, and a brief overview of SHPO’s review process.
This week’s post will cover how to complete the PA-SHARE submission, what kinds of information PA SHPO needs to evaluate a historic resource, and how to package that information.
We have recently updated the guidance for what to submit for a DOE: instructions for doe attachments.pdf. Hopefully, this guidance demystifies what can be a scary process and encourages anyone interested in listing their property in the National Register to take the first step.
Requesting a DOE through PA-SHARE
The online DOE request replaces the former paper Historic Resource Survey Form (HRSF). The online process allows applicants to electronically submit, track and communicate with the SHPO reviewer who will be assigned to their project. A detailed tutorial, Submitting a New Request for a DOE Project in PA-SHARE.pdf, is available on the PA SHPO website.
When entering the PA-SHARE information, we recommend only completing the fields marked with a red asterisk, which are the fields required to move forward. The required DOE fields include identifying information such as contact information, the name, location, and property address of the resource, as well as a short project description and at least one photo attachment.
When entering a request for an undocumented and unmapped resource, additional information will be required. The tutorial, Adding an Above Ground Resource to PA-SHARE.pdf, is available to assist you.
If you are uncertain about one of the required fields, we recommend that you make your best guess and we can complete edits after the submission if needed. Also be sure to choose the “National Register Listing” option in the drop box for the field listed as Reason for this Request.
As part of the PA-SHARE DOE submission, an applicant will need to upload a single pdf document that includes all of the information PA SHPO needs to evaluate the historic property. By creating one pdf with all documentation the applicant can avoid having to upload multiple attachments to the PA-SHARE database, therefore streamlining the submittal process.
What you need to provide in the single PDF
The information PA SHPO needs to evaluate a historic property for listing in the National Register is:
- Physical description
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Current photos and photo key
- History and significance
- Bibliography
Physical Description
The documentation components are the most important elements needed for a DOE submittal.
The description narrative should include a general explanation of the relationship of the property’s resources to each other as well as a brief description of each of the property’s buildings, structures, sites and major landscape features. The goal is to have a full understanding of the overall historic property and how the relationship of the built environment has changed over time as well as its relationship to neighboring properties.
The physical description should also include a brief description of the overall current setting, noting any locations where resources have been removed, where infill construction has occurred and where any changes to the landscape have been completed. It is important to discuss any substantial changes to the property, particularly the primary buildings. If dates of these alterations are available, they should be provided as well.
When writing the physical description of the resource be sure to include all historically related land and resources, even if they are no longer part of the current tax parcel and are under different ownership.
Site Plan
The evolution of or alterations to a property can also be shown through a site plan, like in the example below.
Site Plan of Sacred Heart General Hospital showing building chronology in different colors with dates. Source National Register Nomination for Sacred Heart General Hospital (PA-SHARE Resource #2023RE04305).
Although this image was created by a profession preparer for a National Register nomination, which was listed earlier this year, hand sketched plans may be used.
The plan can also be based on an aerial view, tax parcel plan, or similar pre-existing map or plan. It is however important that the sketch includes a north arrow as well as an approximate scale bar or indicate the dimensions of the primary building(s).
A general site plan which includes labels and shows the footprints of all buildings, structures, adjacent streets, and landscape features should be included. If it is known that historic resources were demolished it is helpful to indicate on the site plan where they stood with a dashed outline and key as shown in the image below which was included in a recent National Register nomination.
Weisbrod & Hess Brewery site plan with the proposed National Register boundary showing former historic structures that have been demolished. Although this is for an industrial property, the same information is needed for a residential property. Source National Register nomination for Weisbord & Hess Brewery (PA-SHARE Resource #2023RE06881).
Floor Plans
Current floor plans for the interior of all primary buildings need to be included. They do not need to be computer generated or professionally developed and can be hand drawn.
An example of a hand drawn plan, which was submitted for a property located in Cumberland County and was successfully listed in the National Register of Historic Places can be seen in the image below.
Sketch floor plan of the ground level of the Melester Barn which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2020 (PA-SHARE resource #2016RE01920).
The floor plans should show the location of windows, doors, stairs, fireplaces, partition walls and other key features. The rooms should be labeled by function. If substantial changes have been made to the interior over time, it should be noted in the narrative description as well as indicated on the floor plans.
If the interior floor plan has evolved dramatically since originally building, it is also useful to provide a sketch and clear description of the original configuration.
Photos and Photo Key
Another key component required are current photos of the property. The photos should capture the relationship of all resources on the property as well as provide clear images of the exterior and interior of the primary buildings. Generally, ten to thirty photos are sufficient to reflect a resource.
Photos should be incorporated directly into the single document. Photos should be approximately 4×6 inches and either inserted within in the text as relevant, or at the end of the document. It is vital that each photo includes a number, caption that notes the subject of the image as well as calls attention to important details or changes.
It is not necessary to individually upload all photos to the PA-SHARE database when completing the submittal, but the submitter will be required to upload at least one photo through the photo field.
A keyed photo map must be included to indicate the photo number and direction the image was taken. This is required for both exterior and interior photos and helps the review team understand and orient themselves to the property
Fighter’s Heaven (PA-SHARE resource #2019RE14023), listed in the National Register in 2023, for its association with Muhammad Ali has a good example of a keyed photo map. For this property, there are numerous primary buildings to document, so the keyed map was essential to understand the property, location of building and features, as well as the circulation pattern related to the property’s use.
Fighter’s Heaven site plan and photo key for exterior images from the National Register nomination.
View looking north to northeast corner of Fighters Heaven showing (from left to right), the mosque and three individual cabins. Photo PA SHPO.
History and significance
In order to fully understand the resource and evaluate the significance of the property, a summarized historical narrative is needed. This narrative should include a complete history of the property, explanation of the historic use, and the evolution of the property up to present day. It is important to highlight any important roles it has played in the community or other ways it may be thought to be significant. Please be sure to include a historic name if known.
The narrative should focus on the period directly related to the reason(s) the property is important, but as mentioned, should include information up to present day. A comparison to other similar properties in the area should be included paying special attention as to why this property is specifically important.
Some research questions that could be explored are:
- Is it an excellent example of a particular style or type of building?
- Was it designed by a prolific architect and represents the best example of their work?
- Is it related to a specific or important trend or theme in a regional, statewide, or national history?
- Is there a unique event, person, or moment in history that is directly related to the property?
Do not be afraid to draw conclusions based off your research and summarize why you think the property/resources are significant.
When developing the historic narrative historic images, aerial views, maps, and other related material can be very effective in conveying how a property has developed over time and can be incorporated into the document with captions that identify the date and the source.
Bibliography
A bibliography of the important sources that were used for the research and development of the DOE document should be included as well. This is particularly helpful if the property is determined eligible for listing and a nomination will be developed because it provides the foundation for the research needed to complete the National Register nomination. It is also helpful for staff to see what materials were used as it may prompt us to recommend additional materials.
Although compiling all the items necessary for a complete DOE submittal may be time consuming, it is a true labor of love and patience that reflects an enormous pride in the history of Pennsylvania’s built environment.
The result, regardless if the property is determined eligible or not, is a permanent record in PA-SHARE and may lead to additional research or aid in listing in the future. Documenting the Commonwealth’s historic places is something all Pennsylvanians can do, and we are here to help.
