Preservation succeeds or fails by the hands that perform it. Skilled craftspeople aren’t optional — they’re the backbone of historic integrity.

“In-kind” repairs preserve more than appearance — they protect a building’s long-term performance and historic integrity. Here’s why material matching is essential.

Every historic structure carries its own history — if you know how to read the clues. Here’s how early investigation prevents avoidable damage.

Not all contractors are prepared for historic work. Here’s what separates true preservation contractors from general builders who occasionally work on old buildings.

Preservation may look expensive on paper, but authentic repair almost always beats the cost of replacement — financially, historically, and environmentally.

The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards aren’t red tape — they’re the backbone of responsible historic preservation. Here’s why they exist and why we follow them.