Architectural Survey

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 places and shares that information for planning and preservation efforts. MHT promotes 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 places, 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
• Creates 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. Survey data is incorporated in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (Maryland Inventory). Architectural documentation serves as the foundation of all preservation activities, including preservation reviews under state and federal law, such as 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: 

• Guidance on architectural documentation standards
• Access to historic context studies and comparative data
• Support (as available) to help with the process

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

Learn more & get involved 

MHT holds an annual symposium for field surveyors, architectural historians, preservation planners, and other professionals from across Maryland to share recent projects, emerging themes, and new methods in architectural research, survey and documentation. To learn more, visit the Architectural Fieldwork Symposium page.