Historic Preservation Resource Center

This resource center has many articles and helpful hints on preservation, design guidelines, tools, and research of your historic property. If there is information that you find that may be helpful to others, please contact us and we will add it to the list of information below.

Springfield Historic Design Guidelines

The Springfield Historic Design Guidelines give owners and residents of historic properties in Springfield and in the Washburne Historic District suggestions and guidance for restoring, rehabilitating, and maintaining their historic properties.

A Citizen's Guide to Section 106 Review

Proud of your heritage? Value the places that reflect your community’s history? You should know about Section 106 review, an important tool you can use to influence federal decisions regarding historic properties. By law, you have a voice when a project involving federal action, approval, or funding may affect properties that qualify for the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s official list of historic properties.

Windows

There are so many questions about replacing or restoring windows. Should you replace with wood or vinyl? This section of articles help you sort through all those questions.

Preservation Techinques

Older homes are unlike anything being built today. There are many resources and techniques on preserving a historic house or building.

Historic Landscapes

There are many native plants in the area and many type of yard landscapes that have been identified for historic houses.

Types of Houses

There are many types of houses. These articles help you to find out your house style. What type is yours?

How to Research Your House

There is no single source to gather information about your house. There are many places to research on the internet. You will probably still have to visit places in person like government offices, museums, geneology centers, to name a few.

Energy Efficiency - Going Green

Older building were built to last and many historic buildings are energy efficient. Some of the technology changes are very simple to implement.

Financial Incentives

There are several financial incentives that are available for homeowners from tax incentives, grants, and federal programs.

Maps

There are many old maps of Springfield. Here are a few that show the beginnings of the city.

Fences

Fences look the best when their scale, design, and materials harmonize with the size, style, and period of a house. This section includes the Historic Commission's brochure on residential fences in the Historic Overlay District, and other helpful information for property owners looking to install or repair a fence on their historic properties.