Susan Benjamin and her associates have prepared a number of Historic Resource Assessments. These are documents that evaluate the historic and architectural significance of a property so that careful planning decisions can be made regarding its preservation.

Why are Historic Resource Assessments needed?

So that local boards and commissions can make judgments on whether a building is significant and therefore worthy of preservation.

So that organizations, communities and individuals can make informed preservation decisions regarding what constitutes historic features that need to be preserved and what kinds of changes are appropriate. Research provided in the Historic Resource Assessment conveys needed information to make these decisions.

So that there is sufficient research completed in order to begin the application process for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

So that a preliminary determination of landmark eligibility can be written in order for a property to qualify for federal income tax credits.

To create educational and informational materials.

What is in a Historic Resource Assessment?
It is a document that contains research on a property's history and architecture to determine its significance. It generally includes a description of the property and its significant features, a discussion of its history, a comparison with other buildings of its type and an examination of the building's architectural style in relation to similar examples. The assessment typically also includes historic and recent photographs, plans and a bibliography.

What does Benjamin Historic Certifications do to create a useful Historic Resource Assessment? Why hire us?

We do primary research on a building's ownership, investigate building permits, conduct interviews and we research information on the building's architect and architectural style. With an architectural historian, preservation planner and preservation specialist on our staff we have the ability to produce a highly professional and handsomely-produced document.

When desired, we work with architectural firms experienced in preservation to create a more comprehensive Historic Structures Report, which governs the long term preservation of a property.

What is our experience?
We have created several of these reports for the City of Lake Forest, which has used them to determine whether a building is worthy of preservation and, if so, which are the most important historic features needing to be retained. Historic Resource Assessments have been completed for Elawa Farm, Grove School, a 19th century hardware store and several houses.

While a partner in Historic Certification Consultants, Susan Benjamin worked with LR Development to produce the Cultural Resource Management Plan, which governed the redevelopment of Fort Sheridan.

Our firm is presently working on a Historic Resource Assessment for Skokie School, Winnetka.