10/13/2026
Do you know about HABS photography?
Historic preservation isn't just about saving buildings; it's also about documenting their stories.
The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) is a National Park Service program that documents significant historic architecture through photography, measured drawings, and historical reports. Alongside the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) and Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS), these programs create a lasting record of America's architectural, engineering, and landscape heritage.
What makes HABS photography unique?
Precision: Detailed images capture a building's architectural features and materials.
Longevity: Archival documentation is prepared to preserve information for future generations.
Public Access: Completed documentation is archived at the Library of Congress, where it can be accessed by researchers, preservationists, students, and the public.
Traditional HABS photographic documentation follows rigorous standards for image quality, accuracy, and archival preservation, including the use of large-format black-and-white film under the guidelines described here.
By recording historic places in detail, HABS photography helps preserve their stories, even as buildings change over time.
📸 Photo Credit: Michael Evnen