Research and Documentation

Documenting Properties for the National Register of Historic Places

For proposed National Register nominations, please consult the following items for assistance in researching and documenting a historic property and/or district. Documentation for the National Register differs depending on the type of property or district being nominated. For complex or less well known or researched properties, please contact HPD’s National Register staff for additional guidance.

• Documenting a Property in Georgia
• Documenting a Property in Atlanta
• Writing the History of a Community (pdf)
• How to Cite Sources for National Register Nominations in Georgia (pdf)
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (pdf)

Building Types and Architectural Styles

The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) developed standard terminology for building types and architectural styles in Georgia to assist in identifying and documenting historic resources. Buildings are identified according to their type, which is the overall form of the building, height, and floorplan. The architectural style of a building is the exterior decoration. Building may or may not express a particular architectural style.

See: Building Types and Architectural Styles 

Statewide Historic Contexts

A number of statewide historic context studies are available for Georgia’s historic resources.

See: Statewide Historic Contexts

Where to Find Information

• Research Files available at HPD (pdf)
  Files are available for researchers by appointment only. You can make an appointment by contacting the following:
  • Environmental Review- er@dca.ga.gov
  • National Register- National Register Specialist, (404) 486-6377
  • Historic Resource Survey- Physical survey files at the DCA office are open to researchers by appointment only from 11am-3pm on the second Tuesday of the month. Please contact the Survey Coordinator at survey@dca.ga.gov to set up an appointment. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Digitized records are available in GNAHRGIS.
• Georgia Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographical Information System (GNAHRGIS)
  A web-based geographical information system designed to store and display information about Georgia's natural, archaeological, and historic resources. The system went on line on May 4, 2005, with information about the state's archaeological and historic resources.
• Digital Library of Georgia
• Directory of Historical and Cultural Organizations in Georgia
• Georgia Archives (Georgia’s Department of Archives and History)
• Georgia’s Virtual Vault
• National Archives