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The first step in historic preservation is almost always documentation, which is tracing the history of the building or other historic resource through historical records. These tips will help you begin your research, and though they focus on buildings, many of them are applicable to all kinds of historic resources.
The Building: Start with the building itself. Examine it carefully, both inside and out. Take precise notes on its current appearance: the building materials and architectural style as well as the number and style of windows, chimneys and the appearance and material of the roof. All of these features may be clues as to its date of construction. Also, pinpoint changes in
construction materials, building styles, or floor plans that might indicate additions or remodeling.
Establish the date of your building by comparing its architectural style and building materials with popular trends in domestic architecture. Read the landscape around the house to
discover important features such as foundations of outbuildings, sunken gardens, or original property lines marked by trees or fences. Compare your building with others in the area, similar style and size may point to a common builder.
The Occupants: Another preliminary source of information is the people that have lived in and around the building. Talk to the owners and occupants, both current and former and ask them questions. Who built it? Why? Who designed it? Have there been any alterations? When and why did they occur? What is the history around the development of the area? Ask to see and make copies of any old photographs, family papers, etc. that will assist you in determining the history of the building.
The Documents: Many types of documents can help you trace the history of a historic building from deeds to tax records in the county courthouse to printed maps and published city
directories in libraries or archives. Begin with the following:
County courthouse records can provide you with a chain of title that will establish the history of the ownership of the property. You will need the name of the current owner and the current
address to begin your search at the courthouse. Don't be afraid to ask for help, record storage will vary from county to county and will be found in different offices. Good places to start are the tax assessor's office, the recorder's office, the county clerk's office and /or the probate
office. For very old properties, you will probably end up in the county or state archives. Other types of documents that you may be able to locate at the courthouse or in the county records that include wills and probate records; these can also be of assistance if you have a break in the chain of title. Building permits did not exist until the late nineteenth century, however if you are researching a twentieth century building, these can be valuable. Most importantly, take good notes. Recording where you got a piece of information, including the page and book number, will come in handy later.
Maps are particularly useful when researching historic buildings. From the 1870s to about 1950, the Sanborn Fire Insurance Company periodically issued maps detailing the building in cities and towns. Start with the most recent map for your area and work backward; if your building is on one map, but not on the map previously issued, there is a strong possibility it was built in the years between the publication of the those two maps. Maps are available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives and sometimes in county or city libraries and archives.
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