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Maintaining a statewide inventory of Oregon´s historic and archaeological properties is one of the responsibilities of the State Historic Preservation Office as mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and Amendments. The surveys that contribute to this inventory provide important support to citizens, local governments, and federal and state agencies for identifying and protecting Oregon´s cultural heritage resources.
Historic Resource Survey and Inventory
A database called the Oregon Historic Sites Database contains documents and electronic data from three survey methodologies:
- Historic surveys are conducted by historic preservation professionals often assisted by preservation graduate students or local volunteers. Neighborhood groups, local governments, and state or federal agencies may initiate surveys. Historic surveys are a fundable activity under SHPO´s Certified Local Government Grant Program.
- The National Register of Historic Places adds information to the Oregon Historic Inventory from data collected on National Register nomination forms required for the National Register Program.
- The Section 106 Review and Compliance surveys add information to the Oregon Historic Inventory from data collected on forms required for the Section 106 Review and Compliance Program.
Users can search the Oregon Historic Sites Database online. Paper copies of survey forms or National Register nominations can be requested by phone or email. Those wishing to have copies of multiple documents or to access materials not available online should make an appointment with SHPO staff by calling 503-986-0672.
Please note that archaeological survey records and data are housed separately and not integrated into the Oregon Historic Inventory database. See the Archaeological Survey and Inventory section near the bottom of this page.
The Survey Process
The Oregon SHPO has transitioned from a paper-based survey process to a standardized electronic format based on Microsoft Access. This system is explained in the publication Guidelines for Conducting Historic Resource Surveys in Oregon available below.
As part of this new system, persons conducting surveys are asked to follow a four-step process.
- Contact the appropriate SHPO staff member to begin the consultation process. Those calling should be able to discuss their project, including the extent of the survey area. Consultation ideally involves SHPO staff, the agency contact person (if applicable), and the individual completing the work.
- Obtain a copy of the Oregon Sites Database from the office. Databases should be requested no more than 30-60 days before a project begins.
- Complete survey work.
- Submit data to the SHPO for review.
Those conducting surveys to comply with federal or state law should follow the procedures outlined on the Review and Compliance page of this website.
Guidelines for Historic Resource Surveys in Oregon [pdf]
Contacts
Archaeological Survey and Inventory
Archaeological surveys are conducted by professional archaeologists and must be done according to the State of Oregon Archaeological Survey and Reporting Standards (see publication below).
All identified archaeological sites (both prehistoric and historic) and isolated finds need to be recorded on Oregon SHPO Archaeological Services´ forms. These surveys and site forms must be completed to comply with the federal Section 106 compliance requirements as well as research conducted by universities, private consultants (see publication below), or Tribal archaeologists.
All survey documents are inventoried by the SHPO, and data is added to the archaeological database. Information on known archaeological sites is not available to the general public. Qualified archaeological researchers may make an appointment to search the archaeological files with the SHPO Archaeologist.
Contacts
Archaeological Survey Publications
- State of Oregon Archaeological Survey and Reporting Standards [ PDF 151 KB ]
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