CONSULTANTS: Please be advised that the WV SHPO no longer requires consultants to come into the office to conduct a records search for Archaeological recourses. In addition, our office does not require consultants to append the User Research Records Form to technical reports that are specific to an Archaeological Survey. However, technical reports must indicate the date(s) on which our Interactive Map Viewer was accessed to conduct background research.
While we strive to provide the most up-to-date locational information for surveyed resources, not all Architectural and Historical Survey reports are available on the Interactive Map Viewer at this time. Knowing this, consultants should incorporate a visit to our Charleston Office to conduct necessary records research. Some survey files have ephemeral material beyond the Historic Property Inventory (HPI) forms. Our office also contains a non-circulating library of monographs, manuscripts, and Culture Resource Management as well as Architectural and Historical Survey (grant-funded) reports.
If you need to schedule a records search, please contact our Section 106 Review & Compliance Archaeologist for Archaeology projects, or our National Register Coordinator or the Architectural Survey Historian for Architecture projects. Please note that our office hours for records searches are 9:30 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday (closed for state and federal holidays). Copies are 25 cents per page. When possible, please provide at least a 72-hour notice before scheduling a visit.
DIGITAL SUBMISSION FORMAT – GUIDELINES FOR REPORTS AND INVENTORY FORMS: In order to maintain our records in a digital format, all survey reports and inventory forms must be submitted to our office for review as a PDF document. We also request GIS shapefiles or geodatabases be submitted with all survey reports. This should include survey and/or project boundaries. In addition, GIS shapefiles or geodatabases should be submitted for all architectural, archaeological, and cemetery resources that were inventoried. Only GIS points or polygon features will be accepted in a zipped folder. GIS line features will not be accepted. All GIS submissions should be in UTM coordinates NAD 83 in Zone 17N meters or in Zone 18N meters. Failure to include this information will result in the report or form being rejected. Learn more about the WV SHPO Digital Submission Format.
ERRORS: We are constantly updating our data to better serve you. If you notice any errors or missing PDFs, please help us by contacting our GIS Coordinator. Please include the Site ID of the resources you are reporting in your correspondence.
Restricted Data:
Access to archaeological site and survey data, as well as Civil War and Cemetery data will be granted to professional archaeologist who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To apply for access, please complete the following steps:
- Download the User Agreement & Registration Form. E-mail completed forms and a copy of your CV to our Senior Archaeologist.
- Click here to create your username and password.
- Both of these steps MUST be completed BEFORE access can be granted to our restricted data.
Submitting an application for the restricted data does not guarantee access will be granted. Minimum qualifications MUST be met! You will receive an e-mail from our office if your application is approved.
If you have completed the above steps and received approval, click here to log-in to use the restricted data.