Projects  Historic Structures Reports & HABS/HAER Documentation

Historic Structures Reports (HSRs) are detailed building analyses developed to guide the rehabilitation of a historic property and, coupled with a cost analysis, can provide the basis for a feasibility study for a rehabilitation project. HSRs document the present appearance of a building as well as changes that have taken place over time. They include an evaluation and ranking of a building's character-defining spaces and features. HSRs also include a condition assessment and may include a maintenance plan. Historic American Building Surveys or HABS documentation also provides a detailed record of a property's appearance and history. The HABS program got its start during the New Deal, when it was developed to record America's most significant historic structures. Today this documentation is often undertaken when a property is to be demolished, to create a record of its appearance and history. Painter Preservation undertakes both of these services to assist property owners with their redevelopment plans.

M. Vonsen Company & the First Street Warehouses

M. Vonsen Company & the First Street Warehouses Historic American Building Surveys Documentation Petaluma, California

HABS documentation for the First Street Warehouses in Petaluma included preparing measured drawings of the three buildings that were to be demolished, undertaking photo documentation of the buildings, and developing a historic context statement (see "Historic Context Statements"). Documentation addressed Magnus Vonsen's life, his contribution to the Petaluma community and the science of modern nutritional animal feed, and the buildings he constructed that served his business, which was founded in 1904 and continues today as Rivertown Feed. Vonsen was also a nationally recognized mineralogist; the California Academy of Sciences now houses his collection. This project won a research award from the Sonoma County Historical Records Commission.

Glenwood (Patrick Ranch)

Glenwood (Patrick Ranch) Historic Structures Report, Far West Heritage Association Chico, California

The Historic Structures Report for the 1877 Glenwood farmhouse and (now) 28-acre ranch was undertaken to assist the Far West Heritage Association (FWHA) with the rehabilitation and maintenance of this structure and other farm buildings on the site; to create a master plan for the future house museum; and to update the historic narrative for the National Register-listed ranch in order to create an interpretation plan for the house and property. This high-style Italianate house was constructed by a prominent local rancher, Cornelius Bryant. The FWHA held the furnishings from three generations of subsequent owners, the Patrick-Wright family, which were interpreted for both the history of the families and the agricultural history of the region. With Carolyn Swope

Cardoza Ranch Dairy Barn

Cardoza Ranch Dairy Barn, Historic American Building Survey Documentation Tolay Regional Park, Sonoma County, California

HABS documentation of the Cardoza Ranch Dairy Barn, a contributing building within this historic dairy and sheep ranch, was necessary due to plans to demolish the damaged structure. The complex as a whole is significant for its association with the Cardoza family, Portuguese immigrants from the Azores who owned and ranched this land in the mid-20th century. The project consisted of creating a detailed record—including drawings and photographs—of this post and beam barn, which was constructed of large (6" x 8") milled timbers with mortise and tenon joinery. The metal cladding was a later addition, replacing earlier wood siding. The newer addition to the building, which was damaged in recent storms, was a unique sheep shearing operation. With Alta Archaeological Consulting.

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3518 North C Street
Spokane, WA 99205

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2681 Cleveland Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

15 year anniversary