Technical Information Resources
Sources for technical information in preservation technology abound on the web, with more being added all the time. The following links have been compiled:
Getty Research Institute
Provides access to AATA Online (formerly the Art and Archeology Technical Abstracts), a comprehensive database of over 100,000 abstracts of literature related to the preservation and conservation of material cultural heritage.
https://aata.getty.edu/primo-explore/search?vid=AATA
Historic American Building Survey
Documents from the (HABS), Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), and the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) have been digitized and are available from the Library of Congress for viewing online.
www.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/145_habs.html
Google Books
A fabulous resource for period publications on architectural materials and construction technology is Google Books. Many seminal and very early works are available for full view and download, some even in multiple editions.
books.google.com
National Park Service
The NPS has prepared information briefs on a variety of preservation and materials topics that are available for free download.
www.nps.gov/history/hps/TPS/briefs/presbhom.htm
Additional resources are also available, either for download or for purchase:
www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/tpscat.htm
Forest Products Laboratory
The FPL also has technical information on construction materials.
www.fpl.fs.fed.us/
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Non-governmental national resource.
www.preservationnation.org/
International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems, and Structures
A useful international resource is RILEM which has several active technical committees in areas of interest to preservation professionals, including mortars and assessment of both timbers and masonry structures through non-destructive testing.
http://www.rilem.net/
The Brick Industry Association
Provides useful technical information.
www.gobrick.com/index.cfm
Portland Cement Association
Downloadable information is often only available to members, but most organizations provide an option for non-members to purchase publications, either in hard copy or via download. The Portland Cement Association has a particularly useful set of links to technical information on cement and concrete.
www.cement.org/Library/lb_web.asp
Local Building-Specific Information
The Philadelphia Architects and Buildings database: www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/
The photo archives of the City of Philadelphia:
www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/Home.aspxThe Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network:
www.philageohistory.org/geohistory/index.cfm
Research
Two organizations are actively engaged in research supporting historic preservation and materials conservation:
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
Located in Natchitoches, Louisiana provides matching grants for preservation-related research topics, presents training classes, and pursues research initiatives on specific topics. Research reports are from grant-funded projects and from their own work are available for free download as pdf files; hard copies can also be ordered.
www.ncptt.nps.gov/
Getty Conservation Institute
Is currently performing scientific research and studies related to architectural conservation and historic preservation, including lighting and climate control in historic buildings, lime mortars and plasters, museum lighting, and salt research. Past projects of interest include studies in seismic stabilization and stone conservation. Several reports are available for free download in pdf format. The GCI is involved in numerous other activities related conservation of cultural heritage around the globe.
www.getty.edu/conservation/science/