Understanding the Secretary of the Interior's Standards

The Secretary of the Interior of the United States is responsible for establishing professional standards and providing advice on the preservation and protection of cultural resources.  The National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has developed guidelines and standards that guide decision-making at the national, state, and local levels to encourage consistent preservation practices across the country.

The overarching  guidance document is the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation. These standards and guidelines became effective in 1983, and are intended to provide technical advice about archeological and historic preservation activities and methods, including information regarding:  preservation planning; the identification, evaluation and registration of historic properties; archeological, historical, architectural and engineering documentation, professional qualification standards, and capital historic preservation projects.  They are not regulatory. 

Guidance and Regulations for Bricks and Mortar Projects

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (codified as 36 CFR Part 68) are neither technical nor prescriptive, but are intended to promote responsible preservation practices that help protect our irreplaceable cultural resources.  They may be applied to a variety of historic resource types, such as: houses; building complexes; landscape and natural features; archeological resources; structures such as bridges and dams; and objects such as fountains and statuary. 

The Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties break down preservation projects into four approaches: 

• Preservation
• Restoration
• Rehabilitation
• Reconstruction. 

The choice of approach depends on a variety of factors, including the property’s historical significance, physical condition, proposed use, and intended interpretation.  The Standard’s are not intended to be used to make essential decisions about which features of the historic building should be saved and which can be changed.  However, once a treatment is selected, the Standards provide a general philosophy and approach that must be uniquely applied in each situation based on the desired outcomes and existing conditions. 

MHT Use of the Secretary’s Standards

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (36 CFR 68) are used as the basis for MHT reviews to easement properties and as general guidance for all other MHT programs. These guidelines should also serve as the basis for design guidelines employed in the administration of Historic Area Zoning Ordinances authorized under Article 66B, Sections 8.01-8.17, Annotated Code of Maryland and the Certified Local Government program.

A separate National Park Service regulation, codified under 36 CFR Part 67, focuses on “certified historic structures” as defined by the IRS Code of 1986. While the language in this section is similar to that under 36 CFR 68, it is nonetheless distinct and used for federal and State regulatory reviews.  The Standards for Rehabilitation cited in 36 CFR 67 are used by MHT in its review of projects seeking certification for Federal and State rehabilitation tax credits and approval for work under MHT Historic Preservation Capital Grant and Loan assistance. 

What are the Secretary's of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation?

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (frequently called "The Standards") are a list of ten basic philosphies and principles for how to repair, rehabiliate, and in some cases add on to historic buildings in a manner that is compatible with the historic features of the building.

The Standards are not overly specific and describe general approaches and decision-making rather than providing a check-list of "dos" and "don'ts". The Standards are broad partly because no two buildings are exactly alike, and each building has its own unique features, problems, and issues. The goals of individual property owners are unique as well. Some owners want to restore their home, some need to put on a new roof or repair their windows, and some want to make room for new family members or accomodate different needs. Each of these projects requires a slightly different approach, and so it's not practical to try and write specific guidelines that apply to all types of projects on all types of buildings in all parts of the State.