Architectural and History Survey

The 1966 National Historic Preservation Act mandated that each state establish a historic preservation office and prepare comprehensive surveys of historic properties. In West Virginia, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), part of the Department of Arts, Culture and History in Charleston, serves as a repository for the information collected in such surveys.

Since the 1970s architectural and history surveys have been conducted in West Virginia to help identify architectural and historic properties that currently exist in the state. The West Virginia Historic Property Inventory (HPI) records basic information such as building descriptions, brief histories, and locational information on buildings, structures, and objects. This information is stored in a database as well as on archival HPI forms with an attached archival photograph.

The inventory provides a foundation for identifying properties that may be worthy of preservation, promotion, recognition, and protection. Architectural and history surveys help identify significant properties that may qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Information collected in the inventory also helps cultural resource professionals make informed decisions about the protection of West Virginia’s historic built environment. The HPI provides a basis for preservation and planning at all levels of the government and private sector. Government agencies, professional preservation consultants and the general public use the inventory to help make decisions regarding land-use plans, urban and economic development, road-improvement projects, and tourism.

Inclusion of your property in the West Virginia HPI does not automatically nominate your property to the National Register. Inclusion in the inventory conveys no special status, rights or benefits to owners of these properties. Properties documented in the inventory have no restrictions placed on them by the SHPO, nor does the inventory require maintenance or public access.

In most cases, surveys are conducted by preservation professionals who drive public roads and record properties that meet certain historic requirements. Surveyors do not enter private property without permission from the property owner.

The inventory is not a comprehensive list of all historic buildings and structures in West Virginia. Some of the information in the inventory may no longer be accurate as some of the properties have been altered since they were first recorded or they no longer exist. The majority of the properties included in the inventory are privately owned and are not open to the public.

West Virginia National Register of Historic Places Listing Process

  1. Complete a West Virginia Historic Property Inventory (HPI) form.
    Word document, PDF document, and directions
  2. Return the HPI form to the:
    WV State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
    National Register Coordinator
    State Historic Preservation Office
    The Cultural Center
    1900 Kanawha Blvd., East
    Charleston, WV 25305-0300
  3. The SHPO will review the form to determine if the resource is potentially eligible for listing.
  4. If determined to be potentially eligible, the SHPO will conduct a site visit and provide the property owner or nomination preparer with a packet of information to help them prepare a National Register nomination. Nominations include a registration form, a descriptive narrative, a narrative history/justification of significance, archival photos, digital photos, mapping, and floor plans. Directions
  5. Once received, the SHPO has 60 days to review each draft nomination. Staff will provide comments to preparer. Nominations are considered finalized when SHPO staff has approved content and received all necessary attachments.
  6. After the nomination is finalized, staff will schedule it for presentation to the WV Archives and History Commission (AHC) at the earliest possible meeting. The Commission meets three times per year.
  7. If property is located within a Certified Local Government, Staff will forward nomination to the Historic Landmarks Commission for comment 60 days prior to the scheduled AHC meeting.
  8. Notifications of the property being nominated to the NRHP are sent out to property owner(s), elected state officials and elected local officials. This is done by Staff 30 days prior to the scheduled AHC meeting. Resources owned privately cannot be listed in the NRHP if the owner objects. The National Park Service will not list the resource but will provide an official determination of eligibility.
  9. If approved by the AHC, the SHPO will forward the nomination to the National Park Service within 90 days of their approval.
  10. After receipt, the National Park Service has 45 days to list the resource in the National Register, return the nomination for changes, or determine that the resource is not eligible for listing.