Many people don’t want to be in an historic district or even have their home become a historic structure because they fear having restrictions levied on what they can and cannot do to their own property. To live in a home that was built over fifty years ago or has a connection with someone of historical importance (George Washington slept here), or was designed by a famous architect, or is significant to a period of time, starts the qualifyication process for a home of historical significance. It is acceptable that the structure has changed or been updated as long as the architectural integrity is in tact and any changes (not too many) can be distinguished from its original design.
The importance is in what type of historical registry your home is in. If it’s a local historic registry, your community most likely has an appointed commission that is a group of citizens with some expertise in these types of homes. Their job is to review any alterations to the outside of the home that can be seen from the streetscape. The goal is simply to make sure those changes conform in scope, size and scale to the integrity of the home. They are there more as an advisory committee to help guide the homeowner in keeping with the architectural significance of their property.
Having been a Landmarks Commissioner in Kirkwood for the past four years I would say that 90% of the time, those who come before us for review are glad they did. With two architects, a remodelor, a realtor, two homeowners who live in registered homes and professional in historical registration, the advice we can generate has been very helpful. The 10% who weren’t so pleased either were unhappy with the additional time it took to get a permit to build something or wanted to do something to their home that would have detracted or erased its historical value. If an individual is truly unhappy, they can always bring up their argument with the City Council, so there is an appeals process that works.
A National Historic Registry is a completely different set of circumstances. The same basic qualifiers apply although there is a much more intense review of the structure and the application process is long and arduous. Once approved, you can invest money in restoring your home and receive some very significant tax credits based on your investment. The trick is that all the work you have done must meet the federal guidelines for historical restoration and that takes some research and application effort. You have to maintain both the exterior and interior architecture and although updating is encouraged it has to fit within those guidelines. It’s not easy, but well worth the effort both in the pride you’ll have in you home and the money you can save through those tax credits.
To learn more go to: http://dnr.mo.gov/shpoTaxCrdts.htm
That’s the official site of the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office which is authorized to carry out the responsibilities of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
