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Maryland Historical Trust

Architectural Survey

Overhead view of a staircase and person sketching in a hallway.

The Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) identifies and documents Maryland’s built environment to understand the history of communities, buildings, and landscapes and how they have changed over time. Through field surveys and documentation, MHT records Maryland’s historic buildings and shares that information for planning and preservation. MHT also supports architectural survey and documentation projects through collaboration, technical assistance and funding. 

Why architectural survey matters 

Architectural survey and documentation helps Marylanders see how the built environment reflects the state’s cultural, social and economic history. By identifying and documenting historic properties, MHT: 

  • Records the design, construction, and use of buildings and structures, which helps inform future planning and rehabilitation projects.
  • Analyzes how architecture connects to community development, industry and culture.
  • Produces reports, data, and guidance used by historians, planners, local governments and researchers in architectural history. 

This work helps document Maryland’s historic places for future preservation and to create a record of important places before they are changed or lost. 

Documenting Maryland’s historic architecture 

MHT conducts and supports architectural surveys across Maryland to identify and record historic buildings, districts and structures. These surveys are the foundation of the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (Architecture) and are also used to support preservation reviews under state and federal law, including Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 

About the survey process 

  1. Identify: Survey teams review maps, photographs and local records to locate potential historic resources.
  2. Document: Each property is photographed and described, noting architectural features and construction details.
  3. Evaluate: MHT assesses survey data to understand historic context and patterns of development.
  4. Record: Survey data and photographs are entered into the Maryland Inventory in hard copy (accessible in the MHT Library) and digitally. 

Access the results using Medusa. 

Collaboration & support 

MHT works with universities, tribal partners, historical societies, consulting firms and local governments to coordinate architectural survey efforts statewide. We provide: 

  • Support to understand a historic building and its importance
  • Guidance on architectural documentation standards
  • Access to historic context studies and comparative data 

For grant opportunities that support research and survey work, visit MHT’s Historic Preservation Non-Capital Grant Program page.