The National Park Service is pleased to announce the publication of the Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Covered Bridges, edited by Christopher H. Marston, Architect, Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), and Thomas A. Vitanza, Senior Historical Architect, Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC). The book is one of the final products of the Federal Highway Administration’s National Historic Covered Bridges Preservation Program.

The Guidelines were prepared to illustrate best practices and provide technical examples that can be used in planning and executing projects for preserving and maintaining historic covered bridges, adapted from the principles of The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Focusing on rehabilitation, the Guidelines are organized by function. Following general principles, chapters examine superstructure, substructure, exterior envelope, site features, and safety/protection systems. Each section discusses recommended and non-recommended treatments, with illustrated examples of retaining, protecting, maintaining, repairing, and replacing various elements of an historic covered bridge.

The book concludes with several case studies (written by the engineers, bridgewrights, and public officials who worked on them), comprised of various covered bridge truss types, locations, rehabilitation issues, and budgets. The Guidelines will be a useful resource for educating engineers, Department of Transportation officials, State Historic Preservation Officers, bridge owners, preservationists, students, and residents in maintaining these historic symbols of American engineering for future generations.

HAER is distributing the Guidelines to members of the historic bridge and preservation community nationwide. Additional copies may be requested by sending your mailing address to: christopher_marston@nps.gov.  An electronic 508-compliant PDF is also available for download at: https://www.nps.gov/hdp/project/coveredbridges/publications.htm