A key to the successful rehabilitation of historic commercial
buildings is the sensitive treatment of the first floor itself. Wherever possible, significant storefronts (be
they original or later alterations), including windows, sash,
doors, transoms, signs and decorative features, should be repaired
in order to retain the historic character of the building. Where
original or early storefronts no longer exist or are too deteriorated
to save, the commercial character of the building should nonetheless
be preserved--either through an accurate restoration based on
historic research and physical evidence or a contemporary design
which is compatible with the scale, design, materials, color and
texture of the historic building. The sensitive rehabilitation
of historic storefronts will not only enhance the architectural
character of the overall building but will contribute to rejuvenating
neighborhoods or business districts as well.
Bryan, John M. and the Triad Architectural Associates. Abbeville,
South Carolina: Using Grant-in-Aid Funds for Rehabilitation Planning
and Project Work in the Commercial Town Square. Washington, D.C.:
Technical Preservation Services Division, U.S. Department of the
Interior, 1980.
Gayle, Margot and Edmund V. Gillon, Jr. Cast Iron Architecture
in New York. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1971.
Gayle, Margot and David W. Look and John G. Waite. Metals in America's
Historic Buildings: Uses and Preservation Treatments. Washington,
D.C.: Technical Preservation Services Division, U.S. Department
of the Interior, 1980.
Gelbloom, Mara. "Old Storefronts." The Old House Journal
VI, No. 3 (March 1978), pp. 2534.
Grimmer, Anne E. "Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic
Buildings." (Preservation Briefs 6), Washington, D.C.:
Technical Preservation Services Division, U.S. Department of the
Interior, 1979.
Guthrie, Susan. Main Street Historic District, Van Buren, Arkansas:
Using Grant-in-Aid Funds for Storefront Rehabilitation. Washington,
D.C.: Technical Preservation Services Division, U.S. Department
of the Interior, 1980.
Hartmann, Robert R. "Design for the Business District, Part
I." Racine, Wisconsin: Racine Urban Aesthetics, Inc., 1979.
Hensley, Tom. "The Preservation of Historic Pigmented Structural
Glass (Vitrolite and Carrara Glass)." Denver: Rocky Mountain
Regional Office, National Park Service, 1981.
Marsh, Ellen. "An Introduction to Storefront Rehabilitation."
Conserve Neighborhoods, No. 7 (Summer 1979).
Mintz, Norman. "A Practical Guide to Storefront Rehabilitation."
Technical Series No. 2.: Albany, N.Y.: Preservation League of
New York State, 1977.
Myers, John H. "The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows." (Preservation
Briefs 9). Washington, D.C.: Technical Preservation Services Division,
U.S. Department of the Interior, 1980.
Park, Sharon C. Storefront Rehabilitation: A 19th Century Commercial
Building. Washington, D.C.: Technical Preservation Services Division,
U.S. Department of the Interior, 1980.
Phillips, Morgan W. and Dr. Judith E. Selwyn. "Epoxies for
Wood Repairs in Historic Buildings." Washington, D.C.: Technical
Preservation Services Division, U.S. Department of the Interior,
1978.
Rifkind, Carole. Main Street: The Face of Urban America. New York:
Harper and Row, 1977.
The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and
Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings. Washington,
D.C.: Technical Preservation Services Division, U.S. Department
of the Interior, 1980.
Weeks, Kay D. and David W. Look. "Exterior Paint Problems
on Historic Woodwork." (Preservation Briefs 10). Washington,
D.C.: Technical Preservation Services, U.S. Department of the
Interior, 1982.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks go to Kay D. Weeks and Sharon C. Park, AIA, for
providing technical and editorial direction in the development
of this Preservation Brief. The following individuals are also
to be thanked for reviewing the manuscript and making suggestions:
Norman Mintz, New York, N Y.: Judith Kitchen, Columbus, Ohio:
Jim Vaseff, Atlanta, Georgia,: and Tom Moriarity, Washington,
D C. Finally thanks go to Technical Preservation Service Branch
staff members, especially Martha A. Gutrick, Michael J. Auer and
Anne E. Grimmer, whose valuable comments were incorporated into
the final text and who contributed to the publication of the brief.
Washington, D.C. September, 1982
This publication has been prepared pursuant to the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, which directs the Secretary
of the Interior to develop and make available information concerning historic
properties. Technical Preservation Services (TPS), Heritage Preservation
Services Division, National Park Service prepares standards, guidelines,
and other educational materials on responsible historic preservation treatments
for a broad public.
"Rehabilitating Historic Storefronts" an Historic Preservation Brief
