Introduction to PA-SHPO Baseline Survey Project

Big Pine Consultants LLC has been at the forefront of historic preservation efforts in Pennsylvania, working closely with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA-SHPO) on the PA-SHPO Baseline Survey Project since 2022.  The PA-SHPO Baseline Survey Project aims to enrich the PA Historic Places Inventory by documenting locational data, physical attributes, and photographs of historic properties. Utilizing tools like the PA-SHARE system, including Surveyor Manager and ESRI Survey123, the project has successfully collected essential data for numerous historic sites.

Focus Areas

The project focuses on identifying underrepresented historic properties, including African American churches, sites associated with diverse racial and ethnic communities, recreational areas, and more. Big Pine Consultants have concentrated their efforts on counties in western Pennsylvania, such as Greene, Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, Crawford, McKean, Venango, Warren, Butler, and Lawrence.

Fieldwork and Data Collection

Big Pine Consultants conducted extensive background research to identify potential historic sites, followed by physical visits to each location for data collection. The data collected underwent rigorous quality assurance and quality control checks within the PA-SHPO Surveyor Manager system.

Project Impact

To date, Big Pine has surveyed 2,427 historic properties in 2022 and 2023, with ongoing efforts in 2024 in Butler and Lawrence Counties. Collaborative efforts between Big Pine and PA-SHPO staff aim to determine the future trajectory of the Baseline Survey project beyond 2024.

Learn More

For more information on the Baseline Survey effort, access the Baseline Survey Plan for 2020-2024 on the official PA-SHPO website. Stay updated on the project’s progress by visiting PA-SHPO’s blog and exploring the following articles:

– Reflecting on Year One of the Pennsylvania Baseline Survey
– Kicking Off PA SHPO’s Baseline Survey Effort
– Baseline Survey Adds Almost 8,000 Places in Year 3

How Can We Help You?

To learn more about Big Pine Consultants LLC and their work in historic preservation, visit Big Pine Consultants LLC.

For detailed information on our Cultural Resources services, you can explore the Cultural Resources page on our website.

If you would like to reach out to us, please Contact Us today!