Research and Document
Researching and documenting the property's historical
significance, focusing on the availability of documentary
and physical evidence needed to justify reconstruction
of the non-surviving building.
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Jean Baptiste Wengler's watercolor rendering
of Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in 1857 is aesthetically
pleasing, but the overall view does not constitute
adequate documentary evidence for a Reconstruction.
Oral histories are also unreliable sources of
documentation for treatment. Painting: NPS files.
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Undertaking a reconstruction based on insufficient research,
so that, as a result, an historically inaccurate building
is created.
Reconstructing a building unnecessarily when an existing
building adequately reflects or explains the history
of the property, the historical event, or has the same
associative value.
Executing a design for the building that was never
constructed historically.
Investigate
Investigating archeological resources to identify
and evaluate those features and artifacts which are
essential to the design and plan of the building.
Minimizing disturbance of terrain to reduce the
possibility of destroying archeological resources.
Failing to identify and evaluate archeological information
prior to reconstruction, or destroying extant historical
information not relevant to the reconstruction but that
should be preserved in place.
Introducing heavy machinery or equipment into areas
where it may disturb archeological resources.
Identify, Retain and Preserve
Identifying, retaining, and preserving extant historic
features of the building and site, such as remnants
of a foundation, chimney, or walkway.
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Two photos illustrate the use of
contemporary construction materials and techniques
within the treatment, Reconstruction. Because
Reconstruction is employed to portray a significant
earlier time, usually for interpretive purposes,
substitute materials may be appropriate if they
are able to convey the historic appearance.
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Beginning reconstruction work without first conducting
a detailed site investigation to physically substantiate
the documentary evidence.
Basing a reconstruction on conjectural designs or the
availability of different features from other historic
buildings.
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