Historic Contexts Organized By Topic

Historic contexts and research papers are available as National Register nominations or reports in PA-SHARE. Anyone can find and read historic contexts and research papers through PA-SHARE SearchLite, an easy to use search to find above ground resources and reports in PA-SHARE. 

Users can view National Register of Historic Places nominations, historic contexts, and Multiple Property Documentation Forms (MPDFs) through SearchLite. If you are interested in viewing complete resource and report records and attachments, you will need to register for PA-SHARE and search by the resource (RE) or report (RP) number. 

To search for reports in PA-SHARE SearchLite:

• Go to https://share.phmc.pa.gov/search-lite/
• In the "Search PA-SHARE Data" box on the left side of the screen, pick "Reports" under "Pick Your Search Type"
• Copy the full report number (####RP#####) you are interested in from the list below
• Paste the report number into the "Keyword" field
• Click "Search" and the results will be shown in the "Search Results" grid 
• In the "Search Results" grid, click on the report number to open the report record
• In the "Attachments" section at the bottom of the record, find the document you want to review
• Click the box with arrow icon next to the document to open the document as a PDF

Agriculture

• 1991RP00107: Farms in Berks County, Pennsylvania
  
• 1994RP00248: Greensboro/ New Geneva Architecture c. 1790-1944; Settlement, Transportation Improvements, and Development of the Greensboro/New Geneva Area c. 1760-1944; Greensboro/New Geneva Glass Industry 1797-1858; Greensboro/New Geneva Pottery Industry c. 1800-1914: 
  
• 1989RP00088: Gristmills in Berks County, Pennsylvania
• 2007RP00125: Agricultural Resources of Pennsylvania, c1700-1960. See also: 
  • PA's Agricultural Context Updated Guidance for worksheets and tools
  • Agricultural Resources of Pennsylvania, 1960-1980
    
  • Ag Context Statement on Integrity
    
• 1994RP00215: Historic Farming Resources of Lancaster County
• 1990RP00086: Tobacco Buildings in Lancaster City
• 1992RP00123: Historic and Architectural Resources of the Upper Delaware Valley, New York and Pennsylvania
• 1992RP00086: Whiskey Rebellion Resources in Southwestern Pennsylvania
• 2003RP00178: Southeastern Chester County Mushroom Industry Historic Context

Architecture

• 1995RP00148: A Study of the Vernacular Architecture of Central and Southwestern PA with a Particular Emphasis on the Barns of These Regions
• 2011RP00402: Folk Log Structures in Pennsylvania
• 1994RP00248: Greensboro/ New Geneva Architecture c. 1790-1944; Settlement, Transportation Improvements, and Development of the Greensboro/New Geneva Area c. 1760-1944; Greensboro/New Geneva Glass Industry 1797-1858; Greensboro/New Geneva Pottery Industry c. 1800-1914
• 2010RP00249: Log Houses In Bucks County
• 2009RP00229: Modernism in Philadelphia, 1945 to 1980
  
• 2012RP00501: USPS Nationwide Historic Context Study: Postal Facilities Constructed or Occupied Between 1940 and 1971
• 1982RP00016: The Thomas Thematic Group (A part of the Multiple Resource Nomination of West Whiteland Township
• 1992RP00086: Whiskey Rebellion Resources in Southwestern Pennsylvania
• 2024RP00188: Garden Apartments of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Before the Great Depression, 1885-1933 MPDF

Community Planning and Development

• 1981RP00051: The Four Public Squares of Philadelphia TR
• 2012RP00494: Historic Context for the City of Philadelphia
• 1995RP00140: Public Housing in Philadelphia
• 2010RP00255: Research Guide for Developing a Context for Evaluating Post World War II Suburbs
• 2012RP00501: USPS Nationwide Historic Context Study: Postal Facilities Constructed or Occupied Between 1940 and 1971
• 2010RP00270: A History of Philadelphia’s Department of Recreation, 1880-2010

Conservation

• 2007RP00184: Lumber Heritage Area Management Plan
• 1984RP00030: Historic Resources of New Hope Borough
• 1985RP00046: West Branch Brandywine Creek Multiple Resources
• 2004RP00104: Historic Context Statement and Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey Forms for Michaux State Forest
• 2021RP00150: Appalachian Trail MPDF
• 2024RP00222: United States Forest Service Recreation Facilities

Education

• 2007RP00160: Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Pennsylvania, 1682-1969
• 2007RP00131: Pennsylvania Schools Survey Summary Report
• 1986RP00058: Philadelphia Public Schools Thematic Resources
  
• 1986RP00032: Pittsburgh Public Schools Thematic Group
• 2025RP00139: The Schools of Pittsburgh: Reexamining Section 27 of the PA Historic Resource Survey Forms

Engineering

• 1990RP00119: Blair County and Cambria County PA: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites
  
• 1991RP00106: Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites
• 1994RP00247: Westmoreland County Pennsylvania: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites

Entertainment/Recreation

• 2010RP00270: A History of Philadelphia’s Department of Recreation, 1880-2010
• 2024RP00222: United States Forest Service Recreation Facilities

Ethnic Heritage

• 2021RP00051:  African American Churches and Cemeteries in Pennsylvania, c. 1644-c.1970
  
• 2009RP00226: African American History in Pennsylvania Theme Study; The Social, Cultural, Economic, and Political Legacy of African Americans in Pennsylvania, 1690-2010
• 2010RP00241: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Survey Report of Findings
  • 2010RP00306: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Coatesville, Chester County
  • 2010RP00307: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Mount Union, Huntingdon County
  • 2010RP00308: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County
  • 2010RP00309: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Williamsport, Lycoming County
  • 2010RP00310: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Indiana, Indiana County
  • 2010RP00311: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Meadville, Crawford County
  • 2010RP00312: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Bedford, Bedford County
  • 2010RP00313: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Stroudsburg, Monroe County
  • 2010RP00314: Pennsylvania's African American Historic Resources, Washington, Washington County
• 2010RP00226: African American Churches of Philadelphia, 1787-1949
• 1994RP00248: Greensboro/ New Geneva Architecture c. 1790-1944; Settlement, Transportation Improvements, and Development of the Greensboro/New Geneva Area c. 1760-1944; Greensboro/New Geneva Glass Industry 1797-1858; Greensboro/New Geneva Pottery Industry c. 1800-1914
• 1992RP00123: Historic and Architectural Resources of the Upper Delaware Valley, New York and Pennsylvania, MPS
  
• 2000RP00171: Vigilance in Pennsylvania: Underground Railroad Activities in the Keystone State, 1837-1861

Exploration and Settlement

• 1994RP00248: Greensboro/ New Geneva Architecture c. 1790-1944; Settlement, Transportation Improvements, and Development of the Greensboro/New Geneva Area c. 1760-1944; Greensboro/New Geneva Glass Industry 1797-1858; Greensboro/New Geneva Pottery Industry c. 1800-1914
• 1992RP00123: Historic and Architectural Resources of the Upper Delaware Valley, New York and Pennsylvania, MPS
• 1992RP00086: Whiskey Rebellion Resources in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Health and Medicine

• 1985RP00048: Historic Survey of State Hospitals for the Mentally Retarded, Youth Development Centers, State Restoration Centers, State General Hospitals
• 1984RP00051: Historic Survey of State Mental Hospitals in Pennsylvania
  
• 2011RP00401: United States Second Generation Veterans Hospitals  
  
• 2018RP00494: United States Third Generation Veterans Hospitals, 1946-1958

Industry

• 1989RP00071: A Legacy of Coal: The Coal Company Towns of Southwestern Pennsylvania
• 1997RP00129: Historic Aluminum Resources of Southwestern Pennsylvania, 1888-1947
• 1997RP00140: Anthracite-Related Resources of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 1769-1945
• 1993RP00142: Bituminous Coal and Coke Resources of Pennsylvania, 1740-1945
  
• 1990RP00119: Blair County and Cambria County PA: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites
• 1994RP00248: Greensboro/ New Geneva Architecture c. 1790-1944; Settlement, Transportation Improvements, and Development of the Greensboro/New Geneva Area c. 1760-1944; Greensboro/New Geneva Glass Industry 1797-1858; Greensboro/New Geneva Pottery Industry c. 1800-1914
• 1993RP00135: Historic Resources Survey of the Aluminum Industry in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, Pennsylvania
• 2012RP00505: Industrial and Commercial Buildings Related to the Textile Industry in the Kensington Neighborhood of Philadelphia
• 1997RP00092: Resources of the Oil Industry in Western Pennsylvania, 1859-1945
• 1991RP00111: Iron and Steel Resources of Pennsylvania
• 1989RP00089: The Character of a Steel Mill City: Four Historic Neighborhoods of Johnstown, PA
  
• 2003RP00120: Thematic Study and Guidelines: Identification and Evaluation of U.S. Army Cold War Era Military Industrial Historic Properties
• 1990RP00113: The Company Towns of the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company: Robertsdale and Woodvale PA
• 1992RP00123: Historic and Architectural Resources of the Upper Delaware Valley, New York and Pennsylvania

Military

• 2000RP00149: Adams County Properties Associated with the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863
• 2008RP00228: Armory Historic Context, Army National Guard
• 2008RP00221: Blueprints for the Citizen Soldier: A Nationwide Historic Context Study of United States Army Reserve Centers
• 1994RP00275: Civil War Era National Cemeteries
• 2003RP00156: "For Want of a Home": A Historic Context for Wherry and Capehart Military Family Housing
• 1989RP00064: Pennsylvania National Guard Armories
• 2003RP00120: Thematic Study and Guidelines: Identification and Evaluation of U.S. Army Cold War Era Military- Industrial Historic Properties
• 2011RP00401: United States Second Generation Veterans Hospitals
• 2018RP00494: United States Third Generation Veterans Hospitals, 1946-1958

Performing Arts

• 2014RP00077: Pennsylvania Theaters: A Historic Context

Religion

• 2021RP00051:  African American Churches and Cemeteries in Pennsylvania, c. 1644-c.1970

Social History

• 1986RP00041: Emergency Conservation Work (ECW) Architecture in Pennsylvania State Parks: 1933-1942, Thematic Resources
• 1994RP00248: Greensboro/ New Geneva Architecture c. 1790-1944; Settlement, Transportation Improvements, and Development of the Greensboro/New Geneva Area c. 1760-1944; Greensboro/New Geneva Glass Industry 1797-1858; Greensboro/New Geneva Pottery Industry c. 1800-1914
• 2012RP00501: USPS Nationwide Historic Context Study: Postal Facilities Constructed or Occupied Between 1940 and 1971
• 1992RP00086: Whiskey Rebellion Resources in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Transportation

• 1994RP00248: Greensboro/ New Geneva Architecture c. 1790-1944;   Settlement, Transportation Improvements, and Development of the Greensboro/New Geneva Area c. 1760-1944;  Greensboro/New Geneva Glass Industry 1797-1858;   Greensboro/New Geneva Pottery Industry c. 1800-1914 
• 1992RP00086: Whiskey Rebellion Resources in Southwestern Pennsylvania
• 1992RP00123: Historic and Architectural Resources of the Upper Delaware Valley, New York and Pennsylvania
• 2012RP00501: USPS Nationwide Historic Context Study: Postal Facilities Constructed or Occupied Between 1940 and 1971
• 1978RP00019: Pennsylvania Railroad Rolling Stock Thematic Resources
• 1979RP00065: Covered Bridges of Columbia and Montour Counties Thematic Resources
• 1979RP00039: Covered Bridges of Erie County Thematic Resources
• 1979RP00032: Covered Bridges of Washington and Greene Counties Thematic Resources
• 2014RP00004: Covered Bridges of Indiana County Thematic Resources
• 1979RP00080: Covered Bridges of Juniata and Snyder Counties Thematic Resources
• 1979RP00028: Lawrence County Covered Bridges Thematic Resources
• 1979RP00025: Covered Bridges of Northumberland County Thematic Resources
• 1979RP00047: Union County Covered Bridges Thematic Resources
• 1980RP00034: Berks County Covered Bridges Thematic Resources
• 1980RP00046: Covered Bridges of Chester County Thematic Resources
• 1980RP00037: Covered Bridges of Adams, Cumberland and Perry Counties Thematic Resources
• 1980RP00038: Covered Bridges of Lancaster County Thematic Resources
• 1980RP00027: Covered Bridges of Somerset County Thematic Resources
• 1980RP00021: Covered Bridges of Bradford, Sullivan and Lycoming Counties Thematic Resources
• 1980RP00033: Covered Bridges of the Delaware River Watershed Thematic Resources
• 1981RP00063: Strasburg Road, Chester County Thematic Resources
• 1985RP00042: Allegheny County Owned River Bridges Thematic Resources
• 1986RP00038: Highway Bridges Owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Thematic Resources
• 1989RP00111: Two Historic PA Canal Towns: Alexandria and Saltsburg
• 1992RP00122: Railroad Resources of York County
• 1995RP00123: Historic Resources of the National Road in Pennsylvania
• 1997RP00093: Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Historic Resources: Franklin to Westmoreland Counties, PA
• 1998RP00137: Historic Context for Transportation Networks in Pennsylvania
• 1998RP00074: Historic Resources of the Allegheny River Navigation System 1739-1948
• 2000RP00121: Historic Resources of the Monongahela River Navigation System in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, 1838-1950
• 2005RP00165: A Context for Common Historic Bridge Types
• 2012RP00495: Researchers Guide for Documenting and Evaluating Railroads of Pennsylvania
• 2013RP00272: Road and Highway Resources of Southeastern Pennsylvania 1681-1970