Post-World War Institutional Properties and Section 106: A Methodology for Evaluating Historic Significance.
Focus Area
Historic Preservation/Cultural Resources
Subcommittee
Environmental Process
Status
Current
Cost
$250k-$499k
Timeframe
2-3 years
Research Idea Scope
This research project would result in the development of a methodology to evaluate the National Register eligibility of post-World War II (postwar) institutional buildings in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for transportation projects. Anticipated tasks include: conducting a literature review to identify existing information related to postwar institutional resources; outreach to practitioners to identify current practices related to evaluation of postwar institutional resources; development of a methodology for the National Register eligibility evolutions; testing of the methodology; and refinements to the methodology based on the test application.
Urgency and Payoff
Published in 2012, NCHRP Report 723: “A Model for Identifying and Evaluating the Historic
Significance of Post–World War II Housing” provides a national historic context and National
Register eligibility guidelines for post–World War II (postwar) houses and residential subdivisions. NCHRP Report 1067: “Postwar Commercial Properties and Section 106: A Methodology for
Evaluating Historic Significance,” published in 2023 provides National Register eligibility guidelines for commercial resources. Yet, the postwar construction boom also produced numerous institutional properties, including schools, libraries, community centers, and municipal buildings. The volume of postwar property evaluations can be overwhelming for state DOTs, FHWA division offices, state historic preservation offices, and tribal historic preservation officers. In addition, evaluations of these properties are a substantive challenge because they are highly diverse in physical form and materials, reflect a wide range of historic trends, and have not been closely studied or documented. As a result, evaluations may use inconsistent approaches and require significant time and staff resources. Guidance for postwar institutional resources would provide practitioners with a practical tool to complete National Register eligibility evaluations, which are an essential part of the Section 106 process. Use of the methodology by states DOTs and practitioners would provide consistent results across property types and geographic areas.
Submitted
02/21/2024