Documenting Maritime Folklife: An Introductory Guide

Appendix A.6

BUILDING DOCUMENTATION FORM

Fieldworker:______________________________________

Project:__________________________________________

Date:_____________________________________________





1. Name of structure:____________________________________________

2. Location/address of structure:________________________________

3. Name and address of present owner:____________________________

_________________________________________________________________

4. Name of present occupant/user:________________________________

5. Present use of structure:_____________________________________

6. Significance of structure (significance to community,

architectural significance, connection to important people or

events):

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



PHYSICAL HISTORY



7. Date of construction:_________________________________________

8. Names and addresses of architect, designer, builder, supplier:

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

9. Names of previous owners and dates of ownership:______________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

10. Previous uses of structure (include dates):_________________ 

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

11. Description of original structure (basic dimensions, manner

of construction, materials used, furnishings, equipment):

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



12. Description (with dates) of known alterations and additions:

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION



13. Summary (number of stories, over-all dimensions, basic

layout, architectural style):____________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

14. Exterior description:

      a. foundations (height, thickness, materials, condition):    

_________________________________________________________________



      b. walls (materials, color, texture, ornamental features,

condition):______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      c. structural system (wall type, floor systems, roof

framing, joinery, details, condition):___________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      d. porches, stoops, terraces, bulkheads (location, kind,

form, details, condition):_______________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      e. chimneys (number, location, size, materials, condition):

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      f. windows (fenestration, type, glazing, trim, shutters,

condition):______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      g. roofs (shape, covering, features, condition):

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



15. Interior description:

      a. floor plans:____________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      b. stairways (location, number, individual description,

condition):______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      c. flooring (type, finish, condition):_____________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      d. doors and doorways (number, type, materials, color,

finish, location, dimensions, condition):________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      e. trim (woodwork, cabinets, ornamental features, fireplace

treatment):______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      f. hardware (hinges, knobs, locks, and latches):___________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



      g. mechanical and electrical equipment (heating, lighting,

and plumbing systems and related fixtures, and machinery):

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________





SITE AND SURROUNDINGS



16. Orientation and setting (compass directions, immediate

environment, topography, approaches):____________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



17. Landscape design:____________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



18. Outbuildings (type, materials, features, condition):

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



OTHER DETAILS



19.______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIALS



20. Measured drawings executed by fieldworker(s)?  ___YES  ___NO. 

If YES, indicate number and type of drawings (location plan, plot

plan, floor plans, exterior elevations, general sections,

decorative details, structural details):_________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



21. Photographs taken by fieldworkers?  ___YES  ___NO.  If YES,

attach completed PHOTOGRAPH INFORMATION FORMS. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY



22. Sources of information supplied above:_______________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



            

*This form is adapted from instructions for the documentation of buildings contained in pages 97-118 of Recording Historic Buildings by Harley J. McKee.