Historic property research has been a Taylor Research Group (TRG) specialty for nearly 20 years, helping our clients gain a better understanding of a wide array of property types. From our earliest work documenting industrial and military properties that have been the subject of environmental litigation or remediation activities, we have more recently adapted our targeted research approach to document historic residential sites and non-industrial commercial buildings. Now, in addition to our longstanding legal, engineering, and industrial clientele, we are proud to also serve new clients including homeowners, nonprofits, real estate firms and professionals, and history-conscious developers and commercial businesses.
This newer line of work in the historic property field has been a seamless transition for us, as despite some minor differences in structure and approach, the overall nature of the research is the same. One minor difference is that with industrial properties that are connected to historical environmental issues, we typically begin by reviewing federal records collections before moving on to collections at the state and local levels. Conversely, research into historic homes and commercial buildings typically requires us to begin at the local level and then move up to the state and perhaps federal levels.
What can historical records tell us about a property? You might be surprised! While conducting research we have uncovered fascinating tidbits that have delighted owners, realtors, buyers, and sellers.
For one realtor and their client, we found photographs and other records that shed light on the history of their listed property. Our investigation confirmed the sellers’ belief that their property and surrounding neighborhood had once been part of a larger farm—one which, according to a diary entry that we located, had been visited by George Washington during the 1780s. Tax records even listed the names of persons who had been enslaved there, including Yarrow Mamout, who obtained his freedom in 1796 and went on to become an entrepreneur and landowner in Georgetown.
On another recent project, we obtained documentation for a homeowner whose dwelling was built by a renowned mid-20th century modern architect, including architectural drawings, blueprints, building plans, permits, and records of alterations that provided a solid understanding of the property’s structural history. For this project, the goal was not necessarily to add monetary value or attract buyer interest, but to satisfy the curiosity of the owner—a value in its own right. Historic property owners who recognize the intrinsic value of their home or commercial building often form a deep attachment to it. Many go on to assume a stewardship role and turn to TRG for the historical research necessary to facilitate thoughtful preservation of the property. In this case, when combined with interviews with the architect, analysis of the material we collected allowed us to place our client’s property within the larger context of the architect’s work, establishing it not just as a dwelling, but as a living historical artifact.
There is a wealth of potentially useful information about historic properties just waiting to be discovered within the nation’s public records. Other documentation that we have routinely unearthed for properties in the Washington, DC area includes historic maps, plans, news articles, correspondence, and even purported ghost stories, obtained from various local records collections. Whether seeking to add value, indulge curiosity, or apply for conservation easements, historic designations, or historic preservation tax credits, the documentation that our researchers routinely collect can be of enormous value to our clients.
If you or your client seeks to learn more about a historic property of any kind, TRG offers customizable research options and a variety of end products, including brochures, fact sheets, and detailed written reports, tailored to meet your needs. Please contact us if you would like to learn more or receive a free estimate.
