State transportation agencies wanted a consistent and streamlined survey and evaluation approach for postwar residential development. The National Cooperative Highway Research Program, commissioned us to prepare a model approach to survey and evaluation of post-war residences and a national context for residential development nationwide from 1946 through 1975. The first of its kind, our methodology provides guidance to evaluate the vast numbers of post-World War II residential properties to determine which meet National Register criteria.
Our work assists DOTs in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. We tested the methodology in three distinct geographic areas — Virginia, Wisconsin and Texas — to encompass and address a wide variety of post-war housing. Our final results, available as an NCHRP report, established successful guidelines for DOTs, State Historic Preservation Offices and cultural resource professionals industry-wide.