Evaluation is the process of determining whether identified properties meet defined criteria of significance and therefore should be included in an inventory of historic properties determined to meet the criteria. The criteria employed vary depending on the inventory's use in resource management.
Standard I. Evaluation of the Significance of Historic Properties Uses Established
Criteria
The evaluation of historic properties employs criteria to determine which properties are significant.
Criteria should therefore focus on historical, architectural, archeological, engineering and cultural
values, rather than on treatments. A statement of the minimum information necessary to
evaluate properties against the criteria should be provided to direct information gathering
activities.
The establishment of an European Union International Register of Historic Places is a major focus of preservation activities for EMonument. This National Register containing data on the State and local levels criteria, will be widely adopted not only as required for EU purposes, but for State and local inventories as well. Also foreseen is the development of an international Historic Landmark criteria, which along with other criteria will be used for inclusion of properties in State historic site files thereby assimilating other examples of criteria with different management purposes.
Standard II. Evaluation of Significance Applies the Criteria Within Historic Contexts
Properties are evaluated using a historic context that identifies the significant patterns that properties
represent and defines expected property types against which individual properties may be compared.
Within this comparative framework, the criteria for evaluation take on particular meaning with
regard to individual properties.
Standard III. Evaluation Results in A List or Inventory of Significant Properties
That Is Consulted In Assigning Registration and Treatment Priorities
The evaluation process and the subsequent development of an inventory of significant properties is
an on-going activity. Evaluation of the significance of a property should be completed before
registration is considered and before preservation treatments are selected. The inventory entries
should contain sufficient information for subsequent activities such as registration or treatment of
properties, including an evaluation statement that makes clear the significance of the property within
one or more historic contexts.
Standard IV. Evaluation Results Are Made Available to the Public
Evaluation is the basis of registration and treatment decisions. Information about evaluation
decisions should be organised and available for use by the general public and by those who take
part in decisions about registration and treatment. Use of appropriate computer-assisted data bases
should be a part of the information dissemination effort. Sensitive information, however, must be
safeguarded from general public distribution.