Countywide Initiative to Document Oldest Standing Buildings
Lawrence County Historical Society
Launches Countywide Initiative to Document Oldest Standing Buildings
NEW CASTLE, PA – The Lawrence County Historical Society (LCHS) has announced the launch of a countywide initiative to document historic buildings and identify the oldest surviving structures in Lawrence County using professional preservation standards.
The Historic Building & Oldest Structure Documentation Program invites residents, historians, and community members to submit historical and architectural documentation for buildings believed to be among the county’s earliest surviving examples. Submissions are open to the general public and are not limited to property owners.
Rather than relying on age alone, buildings will be evaluated using criteria consistent with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office and the National Register of Historic Places. Under these standards, eligible structures must demonstrate verifiable age and retain sufficient historic integrity to convey their original period of construction.
Deadline to Submit - Monday June 1, 2026
EVALUATION STANDARDS
To be considered, a building must:
- Be located in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
- Be at least 50 years old
- Retain sufficient historic integrity*
- Be a residential structure
*Integrity is evaluated using the seven aspects defined by the National Register of Historic Places:
- Location
- Design
- Setting
- Materials
- Workmanship
- Feeling
- Association
Moderate alterations do not automatically disqualify a structure, provided its historic character remains evident.
Complete details regarding Evaluation standards are provided in the following PDF titled “01-STANDARDS-Pennsylvania-NRHP.pdf”
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Submissions must include:
- At least one current photograph of the building
- Copies of Verifiable documentation supporting the construction date, such as deed records, tax assessments, historic maps, census records, dated family journal, or early newspaper references
- A brief narrative describing the research conducted and the basis for the claimed construction date
- $10 submission fee (Check or Money Order made payable to Lawrence County Historical Society). The fee supports archival review and documentation.
All submissions undergo formal review by the Society’s research committee.
Complete details regarding documentation and the description narrative are provided in the following PDF titled “01-STANDARDS-Pennsylvania-NRHP.pdf”
RECOGNITION & ARCHIVAL PRESERVATION
Buildings that meet documentation and integrity standards may receive recognition, such as the Oldest Documented House in Lawrence County, the Early Settlement House (Pre-1850), or the Frontier-Era Log House (Pre-1810). Recognition is honorary and educational in nature.
All accepted research materials will be preserved in the Lawrence County Historical Society’s permanent archives to support future historical research. It is important that you submit only COPIES of your documentation so you are able to retain your original documents.
Special Evaluation Criteria for Log Houses (Pre-1830) and Frontier-Era Log Houses (Pre-1810) is provided in the following PDF titled “02-CUSTOMIZATION-Log-Frontier-Era-Houses.pdf”
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday June 1, 2026
- Complete the LCHS submission form
- Include a $10 submission fee (Check or Money Order made payable to Lawrence County Historical Society). The fee supports archival review and documentation.
- DEADLINE to SUBMIT: All entries must be received by June 1, 2026
Submission forms and program details are available from the Historical Society and can also be downloaded from our website: (scroll to bottom of page for links to downloadable & printable PDFs of this webpage and of the Submission Form)
Ways to Submit Your Materials (deadline June 1, 2026)
- MAIL TO
Lawrence County Historical Society
P.O. Box 1745
New Castle, PA 16103 - DELIVER in PERSON
Submission materials can be delivered in person during office hours at our business office.
Office Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays from 11am to 4pm
Drop Off Address: 408 North Jefferson Street, New Castle PA 16101
IMPORTANT ADVISEMENT: participation in the program does not place restrictions on private property and does not result in automatic listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
About the Lawrence County Historical Society
Located in the historic Joseph A. Clavelli Cultural Heritage Center in New Castle, the Lawrence County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and promoting the history of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
CONTACT INFORMATION
David Dean, Chairperson, Historic Sites Committee, Lawrence County Historical Society
Tele: 724-658-4022
Email: info@lawrencechs.org