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Historic Resources Survey Program
What do Michigan's post offices, state parks, highway bridges, historic engineering and industrial sites, the Grand Rapids central business district, Lansing neighborhoods, and more all have in common? They are all examples of Michigan historic resources that have been the subject of historic resource surveys carried out across the state since the statewide survey program began in the mid-1970s. Find more information below on Michigan's Historic Resources Survey Program.
What is the Survey Process in Michigan?
Historic resources are districts, buildings, sites, structures or objects that exemplify a period of history. Their historical value may be achieved either through association with significant historical events; through association with the lives of persons significant in our past; by embodying a particular style, type or method of construction; by possessing high artistic values; or by yielding, or being likely to yield, information important to history or prehistory. Historic resources are typically fifty years of age or older, but resources of lesser age may qualify if they have extraordinary significance.
The essential first step in any preservation effort is the location and identification of historic resources within a geographic area and their documentation according to established standards. The survey process includes planning, research, fieldwork, data organization, evaluation and reporting. Survey planning consists of determining the area to be surveyed, the establishment of the type of survey, when the survey is to take place, and who is to carry out survey activities and the exact role of each person. Research involves investigating the historical background of the survey area, gathering information on specific properties, persons identified with these properties and the historic uses and events connected to them. Research is carried out within the framework of historic contexts. Historic resources surveys fall into two general types: reconnaissance-level surveys and intensive-level surveys. A reconnaissance-level survey is a first step in the survey process that identifies those areas and properties worthy of further study. Because reconnaissance-level surveys do not typically include research on the histories of the surveyed resources, they do not provide sufficient information for making informed evaluations of historic significance. Intensive-level surveys include historical research on the surveyed properties that provides the information needed for determining which individual properties and areas are eligible for historic designations and for defining the boundaries of any historic districts.
Historic resources are districts, buildings, sites, structures or objects that exemplify a period of history. Their historical value may be achieved either through association with significant historical events; through association with the lives of persons significant in our past; by embodying a particular style, type or method of construction; by possessing high artistic values; or by yielding, or being likely to yield, information important to history or prehistory. Historic resources are typically fifty years of age or older, but resources of lesser age may qualify if they have extraordinary significance.
Survey activity may be funded through local government expenditure, voluntary efforts and contributions, bequests from foundations or other organizations, as well as direct involvement by preservation agencies. The SHPO provides funding to certified local governments for intensive-level survey. For information about how to become a certified local government, and for grant selection criteria and application materials, contact the State Historic Preservation Office.
The products of a survey are electronic database records, photographs or electronic images, maps, and a survey report. An electronic record for each surveyed property, complex and district is created using the SHPO's MiSHPO historic properties database software. For each surveyed resource locational, descriptive, historical background, and other categories of information, as well as evaluation results and other recommendations, are recorded.
Preparers may include geospatial datasets when submitting survey reports. In order for this data to be accessible and utilized by our office and future researchers, please review our GIS Geospatial Data Requirements before submitting your data.
The essential first step in any preservation effort is the location and identification of historic resources within a geographic area and their documentation according to established standards. The survey process includes planning, research, fieldwork, data organization, evaluation and reporting. Survey planning consists of determining the area to be surveyed, the establishment of the type of survey, when the survey is to take place, and who is to carry out survey activities and the exact role of each person. Research involves investigating the historical background of the survey area, gathering information on specific properties, persons identified with these properties and the historic uses and events connected to them. Research is carried out within the framework of historic contexts. Historic resources surveys fall into two general types: reconnaissance-level surveys and intensive-level surveys. A reconnaissance-level survey is a first step in the survey process that identifies those areas and properties worthy of further study. Because reconnaissance-level surveys do not typically include research on the histories of the surveyed resources, they do not provide sufficient information for making informed evaluations of historic significance. Intensive-level surveys include historical research on the surveyed properties that provides the information needed for determining which individual properties and areas are eligible for historic designations and for defining the boundaries of any historic districts.
Many communities initiate their involvement in historic preservation with a survey, followed by additional activities: nominations to the national register, the establishment of local ordinances, facade studies, marketing analyses, owners' manuals, guidebooks, brochures and video presentations that utilize information from the original survey.
As the primary repository for information on Michigan's historic resources, the SHPO maintains an inventory of over 300,000 cards, 600 reports, maps, 6,000 rolls of negatives, and nearly 20,000 color slides. Since the State Survey Data is accessible to federal, state, regional and local planning officials, it can be referenced when making decisions regarding issues such as zoning, local historic districting, downtown marketing and urban revitalization. As a public resource, the State Survey Data may be consulted on a scheduled appointment basis during regular business hours.
For more information about the historic resources survey, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at 517-335-9840 or [email protected].
