Brochure Text Guidelines.doc

ATTACHMENT A

Public Buildings Heritage Program

Brochure Text General Guidelines

March 15, 2007 The Public Buildings Heritage Program brochures serve as a way for GSA to promote awareness and stewardship of the federal government’s historic buildings. Each year, the Center for Historic Buildings publishes a brochure and poster series, containing at least one historic building from each of GSA’s eleven regions. The brochures highlight significant aspects of each of the historic properties and provide information for existing and potential tenants, as well as visitors.

The following list describes important facts needed for the brochure text and useful resources for finding information. The list is broken down into the four sections highlighted in the brochures – building history, architecture, significant events/timeline, and building facts – and is meant to serve as a general guideline for writing the text.

BUILDING FACTS

The basic building facts should be compiled first. All building facts should be verified with the GSA Regional Historic Preservation Officers and Building Managers, and then used consistently in the brochure text and timeline. The brief building synopsis includes:

· Architect(s) – Many buildings have more than one construction period. Both the original architect(s) and the architect(s) of significant additions or alterations should be listed.

· Construction Date(s)

· Landmark Status – is it listed in the National Register? Is it within the boundaries of an historic district? Does it have any local designations?

· Location – street address

· Architectural Style

· Primary Materials

· Prominent Features – either interior or exterior details, spaces, entryways, artwork construction methods etc. (usually provide two to four)

BUILDING HISTORY

Word Count: 300-340 words Overall, the building history provides an historical and contemporary context for the building as a federal property. Brief descriptions of the building’s history, architect, construction and significant events/people are highlighted in this section, and can be described in more detail in the architectural significance. Below are general guidelines for information that should be provided and verified through the BPPs, HSRs, National Register nominations and other sources.

Historic Context for the building

· Historic uses

· Former names

· Former buildings on site

· Significant buildings surrounding site

Architect

· Federal (Supervising Architect of the Treasury) or private architect

· Significance of architect, either locally or nationally

· Architect’s other significant projects (if relevant)

Building Construction

· Dates constructed

· Significance of design or site

· Was it part of any federal construction program (New Deal programs, Tarsney Act, etc.)?

· Any artwork commissioned?

Significant People/Events

· Was the building named or renamed for prominent figure?

· Significance of that person

· In the case of courthouses, were there any prominent trials?

· Custom Houses – are they linked to any significant period in trade or immigration?

· Modernization, Renovation, Restoration projects – historic or contemporary

· Future projects planned

· Awards Received

National Register, National Landmark Designation

· Individual Listings

· Part of Historic District

· Part of a local historic district ARCHITECTURE Word Count: 500-575 words

This section is a more detailed description of the building’s physical aspects, including building style, exterior and interior description, detailing any additions or modifications to the building’s significant spaces.

Building Style

· Designed after any other prominent buildings?

· Significance of style to particular architect?

Physical Description

· Exterior

· Materials

· Elevations

· Entrances

· Construction type

· Interior

· Entry Lobbies

· Significant Courtrooms

· Public spaces including libraries, stairways, call rooms

· Additions/Renovation/Restoration

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS (5-7 events) Word Count: 10-30 words per event

General timeline of building’s history including:

· Construction beginning and completion

· Additions/Renovation/Restoration/ Modernization projects

· Significant figures/ renaming of the building

· Awards received

· Dates when listed in NR

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