Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines

We need to be sure we are talking about the same things. These preservation/restoration terms have definite meanings. Please review and consider.

Knowing what I do about the Blue Wing and that there were 4 individuals or couples (August Pinelli, Elmer Awl, Celeste Murphy and William and Polly Black) that we have to thank for keeping it looking as it did at its completion in 1852, I am in favor of preservation.

Preservation
Preservation is defined as the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property. Work, including preliminary measures to protect and stabilize the property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and features rather than extensive replacement and new construction. New exterior additions are not within the scope of this treatment; however, the limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within a preservation project.

Reconstruction
Reconstruction is defined as the act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location.


Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is defined as the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.

Restoration
Restoration is defined as the act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. The limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within a restoration project.

From: ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION: Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines