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Architectural History Services

In contrast to archaeological sites, “built environment” is the term that describes standing buildings and structures that are above ground. In some cases, they are recognizable to the public because they can still be utilized for the purpose they were originally intended, even if not effectively so because of a loss of integrity.

However, not all historic buildings and structures are easily recognized as such, even though they may have significant historical associations with important events or people in the past. To recognize, interpret, preserve and document historically significant elements of the built environment requires Architectural History Services provided by expert architectural historians.

Qualifications of ECORP’s Architectural Historians

Existing laws require that cultural resources be identified and evaluated for significance. While most project proponents can use cultural resources generalists and archaeologists to assist with cultural resources inventories, specialized expertise is needed when resources are standing buildings or structures, such as:

These types of “built environment” resources require the skills of a professional architectural historian that possesses the unique combination of expertise in history and architecture. 

ECORP’s architectural historians assist agencies, project proponents, and historical societies in researching, documenting, and interpreting these resources through a combination of in-depth archival research and knowledge of historical architecture.

These architectural history services are used to complete, document, and process environmental review as required by CEQA, NEPA, and municipal environmental regulations in advance of the issuance of a demolition permit, to assist in the preservation and interpretation efforts of historic buildings, and for other reasons, as needed by the client.

ECORP architectural historian performing an evaluation of historically significant elements of the built environment
ECORP architectural historian performing an evaluation of historically significant elements of the built environment.

What Architectural History Services Does ECORP Provide?

The architectural historians at ECORP provide a wide variety of services to identify and manage historic-period architecture. This includes: 

ECORP’s Cultural Resources and Geospatial Services Departments monitor historic bridge construction in San Bernardino County, California using unmanned aerial systems technology
ECORP’s Cultural Resources and Geospatial Services Departments monitor historic bridge construction in San Bernardino County, California using unmanned aerial systems technology.

What Other Cultural Resource Services Does ECORP Offer?

ECORP offers a wide range of cultural resources services in addition to the archaeological services outlined above. These include: 

An interpretive trailhead panel constructed with images of historically significant mining architecture created using unmanned aerial systems and lidar scanning technology
An interpretive trailhead panel constructed with images of historically significant mining architecture created using unmanned aerial systems and lidar scanning technology.


Contact ECORP today to discuss your project and learn more about our Architectural History Services.