Attic space at Appleby (D-130), Dorchester County. Photo by Willie Graham.
Architectural research and survey serve as the foundation of all preservation activities. The first step in the
protection and interpretation of historic and cultural resources is to fully understand the building, object,
site, or event. MHT’s Architectural Research Program takes the lead in identifying important resources and developing
a detailed record of their physical evolution, history, and significance.
The investigative process is varied and may include archival research, field survey of archaeological sites and
historic structures, or analysis of the historic fabric. Projects take place throughout the state, and may serve
a wide variety of purposes, including the development of a countywide inventory of historic resources, conducting
site-specific research to aid in the preservation and rehabilitation of a significant resource, or collecting
research material for a planned museum exhibit. Research and survey projects have documented a diverse array of
resources from agricultural or industrial structures to early 20th century neighborhoods to buildings threatened
by sea level rise.
Over the last decade, MHT has actively sought funding for documenting underrepresented communities and resources,
particularly through the National Park Service’s
Underrepresented
Community Grant Program. These efforts include the documentation of Civil Rights sites in Baltimore City, the
nomination of additional Rosenwald Schools to the National Register of Historic Places under an existing
Multiple Property Documentation Form, and the
documentation of women’s suffrage sites across the state.
Surveying Maryland's Historic Properties
Indian Spring Farm (HA-342), Harford County. Photo by the Center for Historic
Architecture & Design, University of Delaware.
The basis of most work undertaken at or through the Maryland Historical Trust is survey. Surveys are generally
conducted on a comprehensive level to identify all significant resources within a region or study area or
related to a study theme. A typical MHT survey project is undertaken in partnership with a county or municipal
planning office, a private non-profit sponsor, or with a university, using funds from the MHT Historic Preservation
Non-Capital Grant Program. Grant-funded surveys at the Trust include four steps:
- development of a research design;
- reconnaissance work to identify all historical resources in a given region;
- intensive-level documentation of resources;
- evaluation of the survey data and methodology through a final report.
All data gathered through survey projects in Maryland is collected in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties
and is made available to the public online or by visiting the MHT Library.
See the Recent Architectural Research page for examples of work
in process or completed in the last several years.
Surveying Architectural Resources
Information about buildings and other types of standing structures collected during comprehensive survey projects,
regulatory compliance, and other research projects must meet certain guidelines and formatting requirements.
» Learn about the requirements for
submitting survey data to MHT
For more information on architectural surveys, contact Allison Luthern at
allison.luthern@maryland.gov or 410-697-9585.
