Preservation Brief 25: The Preservation of Historic Signs
Auer MJ. 1991. Preservation Brief 25: The Preservation of Historic Signs. Cultural Landscape Guidance Documents. NPS Preservation Assistance Division. Washington, D.C.
A guidance brief on the preservation of historic signs. "Signs" refers to the verbal, symbolic, or figural markers that can be used to indicate direction, identity, ownership, association, and more. Posters, billboards, graffiti, traffic signals, corporate logos, flags, and clothing insignia can all function as signs. Building themselves can be signs, constructed as a shape or representation. This Brief is limited to a discussion of "signs" as the lettered or symbolic messages affixed to historic buildings or associated with them. Signs are everywhere, and the role they play is equally as extensive. They are essentially social, allowing a building owner to identify, promote, direct, or entertain. Historic signs give continuity to public spaces and illustrate layers of human occupancy and use. At times, they become landmarks in themselves, significant almost without regard for the property with which they are associated. Signs frequently change to reflect shifts in public opinion, trends in architecture, and advances in technology. Signs also change with changes in businesses and ownership. This transitory nature of signage presents preservation challenges. If it is common practice that signs change regularly, how should historic signs be kept, and can historic signs be reused? This Brief addresses some of the particular questions associated with preserving historic signs. It discusses historic sign types and practices, as well as examples of how historic signs have been preserved even when the business has changed hands or the building itself has been converted to a new use.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Auer, Michael
- Date of Issue
- 1991
- Publisher
- NPS Preservation Assistance Division
- Units
- CRPS
- Keywords
- Architecture Trends, Change in Ownership, Communication, Community Memory, CRSS, Fascia Signs, Flat Signs, Gilded Signs, Goldleaf Signs, Hanging Signs, Icon, Identification, Lettering, Neon, Sign Regulation, Sign Reuse, Signage, standardization, Symbol, technology