NATIONAL PARK SERVICE First Annual National Park Service Historic Preservation Conference

John Garner gave a brief slide presentation on the historic structures of the Southeast Region and explained how the Historic Structure Reports had been useful in the preservation and rehabilitation of several structures. The Southeast Region has a great variety of structures, ranging from houses to forts, walls, and roads. Historic Structure Reports had prevented many mistakes in restoration and rehabilitation work, determined original construction details, confirmed known historical facts, and had shown an understanding of the evolution and fabric of buildings.

About 70% of the areas managed by the Region contain substantive and substantial historic structures and cultural resources. So far, the Region had identified over 600 historic structures for LCS purposes; over 300 of these structures are of fairly large scale. The cost estimate just to put these structures in maintenance condition today is over $45,000,000. Due to lack of funds and personnel, the Region was not getting the job done as required by the Historical Structure Reports.