[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2009-12-11

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1.  New nomination forms ready for National Register
2.  Websites offer new preservation, research tools
3.  Nonprofit offers technology assistance grants
4.  Archaeologists featured in new podcast


NEW NOMINATION FORMS READY FOR NATIONAL REGISTER

The National Park Service is adopting new nomination forms and digital photograph standards for nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. 

The new nomination forms released by the National Park Service are available  at www.oregonheritage.org on the "National Register" page. Nominations completed on old nomination forms will still be accepted for part of 2010, but the State Historic Preservation Office encourages preparers to begin using the new forms for all new submissions.

For the new photo standards, the State Historic Preservation Office has created a checklist to guide preparers through the process, laying out both the minimum and suggested requirements that is available at www.oregonheritage.org on the "National Register" page. Photos that meet the old standard established in 2005 will still be acceptable, but the agency is encouraging better-quality photos. The new photo standards allow for the use of Fuji Crystal Archive paper, which is a considerable cost savings over archival-quality cotton papers. The naming convention for digital images and the photo continuation sheet will change slightly. The current standard is very close to the 2005 standard.

These photo standards will also apply to any non-HABS / HAER documentation to mitigate adverse impacts to historic resources under the Section 106 and ORS 358.653 processes. The higher standards for HABS / HAER photography remain unchanged.

For more information about the National Register program in Oregon, visit  http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/NATREG/index.shtml


WEBSITES OFFER NEW PRESERVATION, RESEARCH TOOLS

Several websites now provide information about weatherization or information about National Register sites.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has created a weatherization guide for older and historic buildings at  www.PreservationNation.org/weatherization When you're done looking there, take a peek at a National Park Service guide to the same topic at http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/weather/index.html

National Register of Historic Places property information can now be found for a layer on Google Earth, according to the National Park Service. It says that in addition to a dot on the map, the layer has information -- current through the beginning of 2007 -- giving the name and details of a property.  There is a note that the locations are for informational purposes, some coordinates might not be accurate, and a number of archaeological sites will not display. For information and to download go to:
http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/Download.html.  

"US Topo" is the next generation of topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey.  Digital US Topo <http://nationalmap.usgs.gov/ustopo>  maps are designed to look, feel, and perform like the traditional paper topographic maps for which the USGS <http://www.usgs.gov/>  is well known.  However, in contrast to paper-based maps, US Topo maps provide technical advantages that support faster, wider public distribution and enable basic, on-screen geographic analysis for all users. 

Arranged in the familiar 7.5-minute quadrangle format, US Topo maps are available free on the Web. Each map quadrangle is constructed in GeoPDF(r) format from key layers of geographic data - orthoimagery, roads, geographic names, topographic contours, and hydrographic features - found in The National Map <http://nationalmap.gov/> , a nationwide collection of integrated data from local, state, federal, and other sources. 

"The USGS has always been at the forefront of new mapping technologies, but what distinguishes US Topo is the new methodology for delivering the product to users from all walks of life," said USGS Director Marcia McNutt.  "These digital maps can be as simple or as sophisticated as the need dictates, easily customized on the spot." 

Further information about how to download and use US Topo, currently available coverage, and the timetable for production of US Topo maps can be found online at:  http://nationalmap.usgs.gov/ustopo  . 


NONPROFIT OFFERS TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE GRANTS

The nonprofit organization Mobile Citizen provides technology assistance grants that offer mobile and broadband internet service. The program serves nonprofits in  Portland and Salem coverage areas. There are a limited number of accounts available, and the deadline to apply is Jan. 15. For more information, view the program brochure at http://www.tacs.org/files/uploads/MobileCitizenGrantFlier_1.pdf. If you have questions about the service, the grant, or the application process, please contact Leslie Lord at 1.877.216.9603 or leslie at mobilecitizen.org.


ARCHAEOLOGISTS FEATURED IN NEW PODCAST

A new podcast from the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site features Doug Wilson and Robert Cromwell talking about 50 years of archaeology at the site. This podcast and others are available at  http://www.nps.gov/fova/photosmultimedia/fort-vancouver-podcast.htm
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Oregon Heritage News is a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission, which can be contacted at heritage.info at state.or.us