Technical Preservation Services Publications

Our publications are used by historic preservation professionals; federal, state, and local government officials and historic property owners. Many local preservation commissions nationwide have adopted the Secretary’s Standards and Guidelines, and information from the Preservation Briefs is referenced in architectural specifications. The collection includes a wealth of technical guidance and other information on preserving historic buildings and landscapes.

Many of our publications are available through the U.S. Government Bookstore of the Government Printing Office. Search for the title or GPO Stock Number to find the publications that you want to purchase.

Explore our publications

Historic Preservation Tax Incentives

Historic Preservation Tax Incentives. Michael Auer. 2012.

Easements to Protect Historic Properties: A Useful Historic Preservation Tool with Potential Tax Benefits. Charles Fisher. 2010.

Introduction to Federal Tax Credits for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings—Barns. Elizabeth A. Creveling. 2007.

Introduction to Federal Tax Credits for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings—Main Street Commercial Buildings. Daniel Bruechert. 2007.

Introduction to Federal Tax Credits for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings—Rowhouses. Jennifer C. Parker. 2007.

Introduction to Federal Tax Credits for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings—Wood Frame Buildings. Jennifer C. Parker. 2007.

Interpreting the Standards (ITS) Bulletins

Interpreting the Standards Bulletins explain rehabilitation project decisions made by the National Park Service in its administration of the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program. Each bulletin references the relevant standards. The bulletins are case-specific and are provided as information only; they are not necessarily applicable beyond the unique facts and circumstances of each case.

Case Studies in Affordable Housing Through Historic Preservation

See how the 20% historic preservation tax credit can be combined with the low-income housing tax credit.

  1. Pacific Hotel, Seattle, Washington. Aleca Sullivan. 1999.
  2. Carnegie Place Apartments, Sioux City, Iowa. Aleca Sullivan. 1999.
  3. Shelly School Apartments, West York, Pennsylvania. Bonnie Wilkinson Mark. 2005.
  4. Northern Hotel, Fort Collins, Colorado. Charles Fisher. 2006.
  5. Van Allen Apartments, Clinton, Iowa. Claire Kelly. 2006.

Preservation Standards and Guidelines

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings. Anne E. Grimmer. Provides guidance to historic building owners and managers, preservation consultants, architects, contractors, and government officials prior to treatment of historic properties. 240 pages with color illustrations. 2017. GPO stock number 024-005-01329-6

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation & Guidelines on Flood Adaptation for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings provide information about how to adapt historic buildings to be more resilient to flooding risk in a manner that preserves their historic character and meetsThe Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. 2021. GPO Stock Number: 024-005-01372-5

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. These are the first official guidelines on how to make changes to improve energy efficiency and preserve the character of historic buildings. The Guidelines are an important addition to current discussions about sustainability and achieving greater energy efficiency, which have focused primarily on new buildings to date. 2011. 35 pages, 112 illustrations. GPO stock number 024-005-01287-7

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. W. Brown Morton III, Gary L. Hume, Kay D. Weeks, and H. Ward Jandl. The Standards are regulatory (36 CFR 67) for the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program and are used to determine whether the historic character of a building is preserved in the process of rehabilitation. The Guidelines assist in applying the Standards and are not regulatory. Treatments that should be avoided are also discussed. 134 pages. 230 illustrations. reprinted 1997. GPO stock number 024-005-01091-2

Preservation Briefs

Preservation Briefs provide information on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings. These NPS Publications help historic building owners recognize and resolve common problems prior to work. The briefs are especially useful to Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program applicants because they recommend methods and approaches for rehabilitating historic buildings that are consistent with their historic character.

Preservation Tech Notes

Preservation Tech Notes are case studies in historic preservation. They provide practical information on traditional practices and innovative techniques for successfully maintaining and preserving cultural resources.

Technical Publications

Metals in America's Historic Buildings: Uses and Preservation Treatments. Margot Gayle, David W. Look, AIA, and John G. Waite, AIA. Discusses the history, maintenance, and repair of architectural metals. 176 pages. 183 illustrations. 1992.
Part 1-Chapters 1-6, Part 2-Chapters 7-8, Part 3-Chapters 9-15, Part 4-Chapters 16-End

A Glossary of Historic Masonry Deterioration Problems and Preservation Treatments. Anne E. Grimmer. 1984, reprinted.

Keeping It Clean: Removing Exterior Dirt, Paint, Stains and Graffiti from Historic Masonry Buildings. Anne E. Grimmer. 1988.

For Kid and Teachers

American Defenders of Land, Sea & Sky. Kay Weeks, illustrated by Roxie Munro. An exciting book for kids, families, and teachers that covers an almost 200-year period, from the American Revolution to the Cold War era following World War II. Enjoy wonderful art and learn more about National Historic Landmark battle sites, drydocks, forts, ships, airfields—and much more. 88 pages. 55 illustrations. 1996. GPO stock number 024-005-01167-6

Great American Landmarks Adventure. Kay Weeks, illustrated by Roxie Munro. A heritage education book for kids, families, and teachers that uses 43 National Historic Landmarks to make important points about the American Experience. It begins with a pre-historic cave painting, then moves forward chronologically in time, ending with America’s 1969 rocket to the moon. 45 pages. Illustrations. 1992. GPO stock number 024-005-01262-1

Last updated: December 15, 2022

Tools