Historic Preservation
Trinity Preservation, as part of Trinity Design/Build, covers the research and documentary facets of the restoration process. Through interpretation of physical evidence and investigation of historic documents, we create a complete view of the building from the date it was constructed through today. We present qualified projects for consideration for historic preservation tax credits, the local plaque program, local landmark status, and national registry listing, following each project through from application to certification. Furthermore, our experience with historic building types and techniques is useful in the design phase of a project, especially when trying to find an original floor plan or uses of a structure that has been altered over the years.
Tax Credits
If you are restoring a property that is on the National Register of Historic Places or is (more likely) part of a Historic District on the Register, you can receive tax credits of up to 40% of your restoration's expenses. We encourage everyone working on a historic property to consider the program for cultural and fiscal reasons. North Carolina has some of the best preservation incentives in the country, and last year more tax credit applications originated in Durham County than in any other county in the state.
Trinity Preservation will ensure that you qualify for the preservation credits by completing the documentation for you, and advising you on how to meet the Department of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
National Register Nominations and Surveys
For any property to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it must be nominated through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The application process takes some time and involves extensive research, giving the property owner a great window into their building's past. It also allows the property owners to take advantage of the preservation tax credits, gives some protection to the property from future Federally-funded projects (like road expansion or highway construction), and helps to preserve important parts of our collective history. At the same time, it does not impede your personal property rights nor dictate what colors you can paint your house.
Trinity Preservation has experience with individual nominations, neighborhood and city surveys, study list applications, and the shepherding of a property through the entire process.
Historic Plaque Applications
Preservation Durham has a wonderful program "to encourage the preservation of Durham's historic resources and educate the public about the community's heritage." To receive a plaque, a structure's history must be thoroughly documented including its owners, residents, construction date and alterations. Trinity Preservation has completed much of the research for the plaques that are currently installed around town.
Historic plaques for some of our completed projects.
The history of each building is distinctive and fascinating, and provides a window into Durham's greater history. We walk you through the tidbits and details that we discover in our research, giving you an image of your house since it was constructed. Past clients have found this information particularly interesting, and love finding out more about the original families who lived in their home, how their house has been altered over the years, and how old it really is!
Restoration Advice
We are happy to consult on conservation issues from paint colors to major restorations. At any stage of the project, even before you have firmly decided to purchase a ‘fixer-upper,' we can visit the site and evaluate its potential.
Similarly, if you are moving ahead with a renovation or addition, we can advise on historically-appropriate alterations and details, working with your contractor, architect, or designer to make sure that the new pieces fit in gracefully with the old. Finally, if you are seeking the preservation tax credits, we can counsel you on the rules that must be met in order for you to qualify for the incentive.
"Not only are we honored to be a part of the Durham Historical Preservation Plaque Program, but the plaque and history of our home has been a great conversation piece for visiting friend and neighbors. Not knowing how to start, finding the historical information would have taken me months, if not years, with many headaches. As is, all we had to do is watch the plaque being mounted by our front door. It was very exciting."
Alice & Peter, Plaque # 46 (Trinity Heights Residents)