Sharing our preservation approach

Read white papers on dozens of topics

Read and download examples of how the Historic New England property care team applies our preservation philosophy to the preservation, maintenance, and management of our historic properties. These white papers articulate our team’s best practices in approaching solutions to a range of issues. We strive to share our expertise (and struggles) for the benefit of other professionals who operate historic sites.

Our white papers are generally divided into three sections: Philosophy Statement, Guidelines, and Technical Information. Most white papers contain both a Philosophy Statement and a section for Guidelines but not all topics contain Technical Information.

• Philosophy Statement: the overall approach to a topic
• Guidelines: the basic steps or best practices we are striving to achieve
• Technical Information: the expansion of the guidelines with more detailed information

We think of these white papers as living documents and are always looking to refine them based on our practical experiences. We also, however, realize that our approach to an issue may not be the only approach. We embrace these differences and welcome discussion on any preservation topic. While these documents are recommendations for practice, they do not supplant local building codes, regulations, or ordinances. Always check with your local government to ensure your approach is in compliance.

White Paper Topics

Each topic includes several white papers

• Building Preservation and Maintenance
• Condition Assessments
• Consultants
• Documentation
• Energy Efficiency
• Environmental Conditions in Historic House Museums
• Gutters and Downspouts
• In-Kind Replacement
• Landscape Preservation and Maintenance
• Mechanical Systems
• Painting
• Roofing
• Safety and Security
• Site Drainage
• Tree Care
• Ultraviolet Protection