This post originally appeared on the Commonwealth Heritage Group news blog. Commonwealth Heritage Group is an ACRA member firm headquartered in Dexter, Michigan.

PHOTO CREDIT: GARY LANGLEY, FAA CERTIFIED SUAS PILOT / INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC RADIO

The Great Lakes are a beautiful place that we at Commonwealth Heritage Group, Inc. (Commonwealth) call home. Thousands of years of history line the shores, and millions of people continue to visit the Great Lakes to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and historic buildings and communities. However, the Great Lakes region has recently seen record high water levels that are causing our shorelines to erode and flood. Communities that are vulnerable to these environmental changes line the Great Lakes. In addition to eroding our beaches and shorelines, the high water levels have been directly impacting historic buildings, damaging homes, buildings, and entire communities—leaving property owners wondering if the buildings should even be saved.

That’s why Commonwealth wants to do our part by helping property owners and communities across the Great Lakes region help in the fight to protect their historic resources. If you or someone you know has a historic landmark, structure, or building that has been impacted by or is vulnerable to the high-water levels, contact us today! Our staff will document the historic resource(s) to record the characteristics that make it a historic property, as well as assess the potential damage of the threatening situation.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help at (517) 262-3376 or email us at ajweir@chg-inc.com.

How do you know if you have a historic landmark, structure, or building?

In general, a historic resource is at least 50 years old. It must retain its historic physical integrity, which means that it is relatively unchanged. Last, it must have a direct association with an individual, event, development, or activity that significantly contributed to our history, or it may embody the distinctive characteristics of a type of architecture.

Why is it important to document my historic property?

Documenting your historic property helps connect the past, present, and future. Documentation helps honor and recognize history, and it can help preserve the past for future generations.

How does this help me?

Documenting your property can help build community pride and knowledge about a place’s history. It can also be a draw for tourism. And you never know what interesting historical facts may turn up.