The definitive texts for understanding the history, ethics, and legal principles of the American preservation movement.

• Historic Preservation, Third Edition: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practices by Norman Tyler PhD, FAICP, Ilene R. Tyler FAIA FAPT, Ted J. Ligibel PhD: The primary “Preservation 101” textbook used by students and professionals.
• Keeping Time: History & Theory of Preservation by William Murtagh: A philosophical look at the evolution of the movement in America.
• A Richer Heritage: Historic Preservation in the Twenty-First Century by Robert E. Stripe: A forward-thinking manifesto on social equity and modern policy.
• The Future of the Past: A Conservation Ethic for Architecture, Urbanism, and Historic Preservation by Steven W. Semes: Explores the relationship between traditional architecture and new urbanism

Visual glossaries and identifying tools for domestic and commercial architecture—essential for field surveys and walking tours.

• A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America’s Domestic Architecture by Virginia Savage McAlester: The undisputed “Preservationist’s Bible” with 1,200+ illustrations.
• What Style Is It?  A Guide to American Architecture by John C. Poppeliers: A portable, HABS-developed guide for quick identification.
• American House Styles: A Concise Guide by John Milnes Baker: A clear visual history of the evolution of American domestic forms.
• Porches of North America by Thomas Durant Visser: A specialized study on one of the most iconic features of the American home.

The “how-to” of building stewardship, featuring expert advice on masonry, windows, materials, and preventative maintenance.

• Restoring Your Historic House: The Comprehensive Guide to Homeowners by Scott T. Hanson: The most thorough and modern restoration manual available for homeowners.
• Caring for Your Historic House edited by Gordon Bock: National Trust-endorsed guidance on preventative maintenance.
• Historical Building Construction: Design, Materials, and Technology by Donald Friedman: Essential for architects/engineers understanding early steel, masonry, and concrete.
• The Window Sash Bible: A Guide to Maintaining and Restoring Old Wood Windows by Steve Jordan: A dedicated guide to the maintenance and repair of traditional wood windows.
• Dictionary of Building Preservation by Ward Bucher: 10,000+ entries covering technical terms and ornamental motifs.

Resources for advocacy, urban planning, and documenting the fiscal and social impact of historic preservation.

• The Economics of Historic Preservation: A Community Leader’s Guide by Donovan D. Rypkema: The data-heavy “go-to” for proving preservation creates jobs and stabilizes values.
• The Death and Life of Great America Cities by Jane Jacobs: The foundational text for community-led planning and urban vitality.
• The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America’s Communities by Stephanie Meeks and Kevin Murphy: How preservation solves modern crises in housing and sustainability.
• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein: A critical history of how government policy shaped segregation in the built environment.