StoryMap: Why Document Historic Structures?

Construction of the Notre-Dame in Paris began in 1160 and continued for a century. The cathedral was designated a World Heritage Site in 1991 and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful examples of French Gothic architecture. On April 15, 2019, the roof of Notre-Dame caught fire during renovations. The structure sustained serious damage, including the destruction of the spire and most of the lead-covered wooden roof covering the vaulted stone ceiling.

With one notable French conservation architect estimating that restorative work will take, "no less than 15 years ... it's a colossal task," many questions come to mind. Does documentation exist to guide builders to restore the building as it was prior to the fire? Should the cathedral be rebuilt as it was over 800 years ago or to its status in 2019? Has an event such as this one happened in the United States? Are there steps the U.S. can take to prepare for such a catastrophic event?

The work carried out by the National Park Service's Heritage Documentation Programs (HDP) is one part of how to prepare for threats to historic places. The programs create comprehensive documentation of notable American buildings, engineering structures, and cultural landscapes across the country. They use 3D laser scans and field measurements to produce detailed measured drawings, create large-format photographs, and write historical reports that provide a lasting record of our country's shared heritage. The records serve as the primary (and sometimes only) documentation of the resource. Importantly, this documentation is archived in the HABS/HAER/HALS Collection at the Library of Congress and is part of the public domain, so anyone can use it.

This story map highlights examples of notable American buildings, structures, and landscapes that have experienced serious threats or damage. The availability of historic documentation can make all the difference when disasters strike. It was created by the National Park Service's Cultural Resources GIS facility in consultation with Heritage Documentation Programs.

Note: The StoryMap is currently unavailable because it is being migrated to a new template.

To Use This Map:

You can navigate this map in-page or click “View full screen” to open in a larger window. To zoom in or out on a map, use the map controls or click directly on the map. To reset the map’s position, click on the 'Home' button (the little house). A drop-down legend is in the upper-right corner of the map. Clicking on highlighted text within the map will either take you to another view or link you to an external web page with additional information.