How to Complete a Landscape Documentation Project

Documentation of HALS sites are critical to preserving historical landscapes for the benefit of future generations and can provide rationale for the planning and funding of future landscape preservation efforts. Documentation projects can be completed by any interested individuals or organizations. The HABS/HAER/HALS collection is one of the largest and well-organized architectural archives in the world. Standardization of format is one of the highlights of HALS.

The following links will provide information on preparing a HALS Histories:  

HALS Short Form
HALS 101 Brochure
Preparing a HALS History Brochure
HALS Short Form History Template

HALS Historical Reports
HALS Historical Reports Guidelines
HALS Drawings Guidelines
HALS Photography Guidelines
Transmitting Documentation

For questions regarding these guidelines, please contact:
Paul Dolinsky, Chief, Historic American Landscapes Survey

Other information:

Current State Historic Preservation Officers
State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO) play a critical role carrying out many responsibilities in historic preservation. Surveying, evaluating and nominating significant historic buildings, sites, structures, districts and objects to the National Register is one such key activity. To help find out if a historic place meets the National Register criteria and how the nomination process works in your state, contact the appropriate SHPO below for assistance.
Sample letters to request HALS assistance
Search the HABS/HAER/HALS Collection at the Library of Congress
Mitigation