In 1998 via Ordinance G-1998-24, the City of Evansville established the Evansville Historic Preservation Commission.

The Historic Preservation Commission, a participant in the Certified Local Government program, is comprised of seven appointed members that seeks “to provide a means to promote the cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of structures and areas of historic and cultural interest” and “to implement a comprehensive program of preservation patterned after current state law and other commissions around the state.”

The Commission is charged with:

• Reviewing and rendering decisions for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications within the two local historic districts;
• Receiving updates from the Historic Preservation Officer on staff-issued letters and COAs and other miscellaneous matters;
• Surveying and inventorying historic properties as well as considering nominations to the National Register of Historic Places;
• Recommending the establishment of local historic districts and landmarks to City Council;
• Adopting preservation guidelines for architectural review; and
• Enforcing the local ordinance and addressing any activities that are found to be unlawful and in violation.

The Historic Preservation Commission meets the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. to conduct business.  All meetings are open to the public and are broadcast online.

Upcoming Meeting Agenda

Past Meetings and Minutes

Board Membership

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NEEDING TO WORK ON YOUR HISTORIC PROPERTY and REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS?

Contact the Historic Preservation Officer PRIOR to initiating a project to discuss scope, methodology, and any needed supporting documentation for a required review. Depending on the type of work, a review via a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) can take place via one of the following application types:

• Staff Level Certificate of Appropriateness (COA); or
• Commission Level Certificate of Appropriateness (COA).

For further information and to download applications for COA, visit the Certificate of Appropriateness webpage.

Work to be performed within the city’s two historic districts shall adhere to the District Guidelines and Procedures. Via these guidelines, intended work is reviewed to insure compatibility and appropriateness regarding style, form, proportion, texture, and material as they relate to the historic buildings and neighborhoods.

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FOR CHANGES, ALTERATIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS TO BUILDINGS OR PROPERTIES WITHIN EVANSVILLE’S HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Work to buildings or property within the city’s two historic districts, the Riverside Preservation Area or the Lincolnshire Historic District, require review of the intended project scope. 

In the Riverside Preservation Area, review of work SHALL OCCUR for:

• the demolition of any building,
• the moving of any building,
• conspicuous change in the exterior appearance of historic buildings by additions, reconstruction, alteration, or maintenance involving exterior color change,
• any new construction of a principal building or accessory building or structure subject to view from a public way,
• change in walls and fences or the construction of walls and fences along public way, and
• conspicuous change in the exterior appearance of non-historic buildings subject to view from a public way by additions, reconstruction, alteration, or maintenance involving exterior color change.

In the Lincolnshire Historic District, review of work SHALL OCCUR for: 

• the demolition of any building,
• the moving of any building, and
• any new construction of a principal building or accessory building or structure subject to view from a public way. 

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RECENT NOMINATIONS / AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES BROUGHT BEFORE THE COMMISSION

Update to the Historic Resources of Downtown Evansville

Hebron Meadows Historic District

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ONLINE RESOURCE LINKS

SOI Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties

SOI Standards for Preservation

SOI Standards for Rehabilitation

SOI Standards for Restoration

Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings

Technical Preservation Services including Preservation Briefs

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Certified Local Government Program