The Preservation Maintenance Guide

In the same way that Historic Structure Reports outline preliminary steps of documentation before work can occur on historic resources, this PMG was created to address the next and, arguably, more important phase for long term survival of the park’s historic resources. 

Maintenance is an ongoing process that should last in perpetuity. While preliminary documentation and historical research are vital to understand the significance of a site, the protection of a historic resource comes with its own requirements based on historic materials, traditional construction techniques, and function for the public. The aim of the guide was to provide park personnel with skills and knowledge to help preserve the integrity and significance of Catoctin’s wooden architecture by protecting the materials, in both their functionality, as well as their unique aesthetics. 

Professional preservationists now fully embrace digital techniques for the purposes of  documentation, data recall and assessment. 

Because consistent maintenance of historic resources depends on good records, and because the character of Catoctin depends on the nuanced design aspects of the buildings, in addition to the modules mentioned above were modules on the use of tools that define contemporary “best practices”. The use of these tools and techniques were not required, but were highly encouraged, focusing on recording and documentation techniques, monitoring equipment, as well as digital information management. 

Developed with Catoctin, as well as other parks, additional sections  in the PMG provide an introduction, as well as basic instructions to help get staff started using the techniques that are now standard in the fields of Historic Preservation. While these modules may not seem relevant to all, it is important to remember that good overall management depends on a wide range of different people whose talents work synergistically. 

A link to the digital Catoctin Preservation Maintenance Guide