The REHAB YES & NO Learning Program, a web feature of the Heritage Preservation Services Division, National Park Service.

This photograph is keyed to two graphic 'start the program' buttons, YES and NO. While the windows (left) on the primary elevation of a historic commercial building should have been identified and preserved (YES), they were inappropriately replaced with tinted glazing (NO). Photo: Mike Jackson, Illinois State Historic Preservation Office.

DESIGNED FOR
HISTORIC PROPERTY OWNERS
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
COMMUNITY OFFICIALS
DESIGN PROFESSIONALS
ARCHITECTS AND DEVELOPERS

::Preserving Historic Character::

The REHAB YES/NO LEARNING PROGRAM has been specially designed to make a point about how careful planning prior to rehabilitation work can result in choosing approaches that preserve the character of historic buildings in our nation's communities. Twenty brief, illustrated project case studies focus on BASIC issues that frequently arise in the process of making changes for a continuing or new use, including exteriors, interiors, sites, and new additions.

Ten YES projects met the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, while ten NO projects did not. In an abbreviated format, you can evaluate the existing condition and appearance of the historic building before work, learn what repairs, alterations, and additions were undertaken, then see firsthand how the historic character was either preserved or lost during rehabilitation.

Understanding common preservation issues can help community decision-makers in the process of reviewing their own projects in historic districts—and help owners plan their work in a way that consistently preserves the historic character!

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In the REHAB YESs, you'll see projects that preserved the character of historic materials, features, spaces and finishes while providing for an efficient, contemporary use.

In the REHAB NOs, you’ll see what happens when those aspects that make up the building's historic character are not clearly identified before rehabilitation begins.