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Request Site File/Inventory Background Research
The SHPO maintains the most comprehensive files of previously reported or identified historic properties (buildings, districts, objects, archaeological sites, shipwrecks, and structures) in Michigan. These files are fundamental to completing applications for Section 106 Review, planning surveys (above and/or below ground), initiating or revising National Register of Historic Places nominations, and other research initiatives. These files are not yet available online and while staff are working remotely during the pandemic, in-person research appointments are available only under special circumstances. This page will be updated when in-person research appointments are available again to everyone.
Projects submitted to SHPO for Section 106 Review and Compliance must be accompanied by a map showing the area of potential effects (APE) as well as information on previous surveys and recorded historic properties within the APE. The SHPO will conduct file searches for qualified professionals who meet the applicable federal qualifications outlined in 36CFR Part 61.
Research involving the State Archaeological Site File at the Michigan SHPO for Compliance and Due Diligence Projects must be completed by Federally Qualified Archaeologists. Please note that sensitive archaeological data is protected and will only be shared as appropriate for the project.
Timeline for Response
Due to an increased number of requests, your research request to our office may take 3-4 weeks to process. Emergency response projects (e.g. FEMA disaster response, imminent health and human safety) will be prioritized. All other projects are being processed in the order in which they are received. Do not submit your request or try to retrieve a project status update using the shporesearch@michigan.gov email address as this is being phased out.
SHPO staff are making every effort to assist consultants with their research electronically during this time. Consultants with more than one project for research must submit each project individually with an unique identifier in Information Request Project Name field of the online form.
Meeting the Federal Qualifications
If you are requesting research for Section 106 purposes and do not meet the federal professional qualifications at 36CFR Part 61, the SHPO maintains a list of federally qualified archaeologists, historians, and architectural historians. If you believe you meet the federal qualifications in your field, you may submit them to our office using the appropriate archaeologist or historian/architectural historian form. For more information about qualifications, click here.
Submit your Research Request
CLICK HERE to submit your request for research
The following information is required:
If you are interested in archaeological files, you must also include:
If you are interested in architectural files, you must also include:
Staff will use this information to determine if we have relevant files for you to view and how to best transmit them to you. Due to the significant volume of research requests, we appreciate your patience.
Section 106 Status Checks
If you submitted an application for Section 106 review and wish to check on the status, remember that under the National Historic Preservation Act regulations, SHPO has 30 days from the date we receive the complete application to offer comment. An ongoing staff shortage means we are often reviewing projects just before the deadline. As a result, it is difficult to estimate a time for completion. If in fact we surpass the 30 day comment period, it is up to the Federal agency as to how to proceed. Projects are reviewed fastest when they are fully complete upon submission and mailed to our correct address. Please contact SHPO if you have questions.
Note that all mail, including project applications, should be sent to our new address (as of Sept. 30, 2019) Michigan SHPO, 300 North Washington Square, Lansing MI 48913. Mail sent to any prior address will be delayed or returned.
