Doorstop Museum

Test your knowledge about preservation! This quiz is based on the Secretary of Interior Standards, and on the more specific Bowling Green/Warren County Design Guidelines. You must check with the City-County Planning Commission for the exact content of these guidelines.

Choose the correct answer and click on it. Click on other answers to find out why they are wrong. Remember, these questions refer only to buildings with local historic designation.

Try some other preservation quizzes, and learn amazing facts at these web sites:

From the Roof Down & Skin Deep

A web class about the importance of maintaining the surfaces of historic houses. Quiz about the "skin" of your house.

The Walk Through: How to “Read” a Historic Building

A web class about how to identify the “historic character of buildings. Quiz included.

All Wet & How to Prevent it

A web class about how to manage moisture problems in your historic house. The Quiz is fun!

Reasons for forming a local historic district

Great site with down-to-earth practical reasons for local designation!

Technical Preservation Services for Historic Buildings

Great resource guide with many links!

Preservation Tech Notes

Specific suggestions for preservation problems

Preservation Briefs

Easy-to read guidance on preserving, rehabilitating and restoring historic buildings. Sorted by topic.

Electronic REHAB

A web class on how to apply the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation with 2 case study quizzes.

The Rehab Yes/No Learning Program

very detailed, many examples of good and bad rehab!

Twenty brief, illustrated project case studies focus on BASIC issues that frequently arise in the process of making changes for a continuing or new use, including exteriors, interiors, sites, and new additions.

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Rehabilitation Guidelines.

The real deal, in detail.

The 10 Standards used to evaluate tax act projects with Guidelines that help ally the Standards.

IRS Connection

The A to Z on tax incentives!

Provides the latest information on IRS Regulations pertaining to the Preservation Tax Incentives Program.

National Register of Historic Places

How to register, and some great examples.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Everything you need to know about the National Trust.

The Old House Jounal

Publisher of Old House Magazine, Restoration Directory and How To information. Great ideas for rehab.

The World of Old Houses

An interactive network dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of old houses and historic buildings. Features include product reviews, resources, and houses for sale.

1. Signs for businesses in a local historic district... a. are not covered in the guidelines. b. must be approved by the local Historic Preservation Board. c. cannot extend out from the building. d. must be made from old materials.
2. When original plans are available, these must be used... a. to determine the color scheme of a building. b. to justify the removal of later additions. c. to justify the addition of a porch which was removed in the past. d. to return the building to its original state.
3. When aluminum or vinyl siding has been added to a house in the past... a. the guidelines require that it be removed immediately. b. the guidelines require that it be removed within 5 years. c. the owner would not be allowed to replace damaged aluminum siding with new aluminum siding. d. removing aluminum or vinyl siding is highly recommended.
4. Standing seam metal roofing that is badly deteriorated... a. should only be replaced with similar materials. b. could be replaced with asphalt shingles. c. could be replaced with wood shingles. d. should always be repaired and not replaced.
5. In renovating a commercial building, display windows... a. should not be moved from the original location. b. should use tinted glass. c. should not use the original glass. d. should use the smallest possible panes of glass.
6. When repairing damaged exterior wood... a. details such as brackets and dentil molding should be removed and discarded. b. only material similar to the original wood should be used (not plastic or artificial materials). c. architectural salvage (pieces from other old buildings) may not be used. d. additional detailing may be added.
7. Storm windows added to a historic home... a. are not allowed by the guidelines. b. must be made with wood frames. c. should have cross rails that match the window. d. should not be painted the same color as the window.
8. If a property owner wishes to demolish a building in a local historic district... a. it would not be allowed under the guidelines. b. the owner would not have to get approval from the Historic Preservation Board. c. it would have to be moved to another site. d. it is allowed only if the building does not contribute to the architectural or historic character of the district.
9. Exterior stairs to upper floors... a. should not be constructed of wood. b. should not be visible from the street. c. must be metal to conform to building codes. d. must be easily accessed from the front of the building.
10. When a veneer of brick has been added to a building in the past (over wood clapboard) ... a. the brick must be preserved. b. the brick must be removed in order to restore the original facade. c. the brick may be preserved if the owner chooses. d. it is unlikely that the underlying structure has been damaged.