State Historic
Preservation Office
- National Register
- National Register Eligibility Assessment
- Courthouse Grants
- Tax Credits
- Archaeology
- Certified Local Governments
- History and Heritage
- Grants
- Section 106 Review
- Survey and Inventory
- Technical Assistance
- Commissions and Boards
- Report an Environmental Problem
Cultural Resources Survey
|
|
Survey – the process of locating and collecting information on cultural resources - is the foundation for historic preservation efforts. The Department of Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) coordinates surveys in Missouri to identify the historic and archaeological resources that represent the state’s diverse heritage. Information gathered through surveys forms the basis for evaluating the significance of the resources, nominating them to the National Register of Historic Places and planning for their protection.
The SHPO supports survey throughout the state through funding and staff assistance. Most Missouri surveys have been performed by consultants funded through matching Historic Preservation Fund Grants to universities, local governments, regional planning commissions and other organizations. Each year the SHPO develops funding priorities for these federal grants, based on public input and an internal assessment of issues and needs. Survey scope can range from the survey of a neighborhood to countywide survey to statewide survey of specific property types or themes. One of the projects currently underway is a survey of historic African American schools in central Missouri.
Valuable survey information is also gathered by other agencies. In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies must identify and evaluate cultural resources when planning federal projects. The SHPO reviews this information under Section 106.
An important part of Missouri's historic preservation effort is the recordation of archaeological sites. Missouri Guidelines for Phase I Archaeological Surveys and Reports are now available online. Those wishing to document and report archaeological sites for inclusion in the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office Site File are encouraged to download and use the SHPO's archaeological site form, available in three formats:
- Archaeological Site Form and Instructions PDF
- Archaeological Site Form and Instructions DOC
- Archaeological Site Form and Instructions ON-LINE
Although the Adobe Acrobat version must be printed out, filled in, and mailed with the appropriate maps to the address on the form, both the MS Word and eForm (on-line) versions can be filled out on your computer and e-mailed or electronically submitted. Regardless of the form you choose, maps (items 40-41) are required; these may be submitted via mail or e-mail to the address provided on the form you have selected.
Upon receipt of a completed form, a SHPO staff member will register the site, issue a site number and enter it into the SHPO's statewide GIS (geographic information systems) database in order to electronically document and help protect Missouri's valuable archaeological resources.
Overall, the Missouri SHPO has collected data on more than 104,000 significant cultural resources: 63,000 historic buildings, 24,000 historic bridges and 17,500 archaeological sites. Information gathered on these resources is housed in the SHPO's Missouri Cultural Resource Inventory.
This Inventory is open to the public and serves both as a comprehensive database for cultural resource management and a valuable research archive. Our hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, but please call 573-751-7861 for an appointment so we can make certain the materials you need will be available to you.
