Historic Survey

Identifying, analyzing, and documenting the historic and architectural resources of a community is the first step towards preserving those buildings that distinguish our communities.  Spencer has conducted a variety of historic inventories of downtown business districts, historic neighborhoods, and statewide property types.  

Historic inventories are typically the foundation of a local or National Register historic district and result in a determination of eligibility for each individual resource within the district.  Typically surveys are funded through local municipalities with assistance from the State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service.  In Kansas, surveys are entered into the state’s computerized database – the Kansas Historic Resources Inventory. Each record includes a brief architectural description and history of the building, a determination of its historic significance, and photographs.  Survey projects typically include a report summarizing the survey findings and recommendation for future actions.

Spencer has surveyed over 2500 resources in Kansas.  She has completed historic surveys in the Kansas communities of Manhattan (Aggieville Business District), Arkansas City (re-survey), Council Grove, Ellsworth, Eureka, Garden City, Hiawatha, Lincoln, Sylvan Grove, Wilson, and several areas in Wichita.  She has also conducted statewide surveys of historic public schools and historic barns and other ag-related resources for the Kansas State Historical Society.