Chicora's commitment to the planning process is documented by our satisfied business partners, excellent professional reputation, and consistently high quality reports. For over two decades Chicora Foundation has been working to preserve the heritage of the Southeast.

Some would have you believe that preserving and studying our heritage is somehow in opposition to legitimate development. It isn't, nor should it be. Heritage preservation is good business for all of us. It helps our children better understand their State's roots and their own. It attracts tourists in ever increasing numbers. And it makes the Southeast much more than just, "sun, fun, and sand."      

• Archaeological Surveys  -- Our team of trained archaeologists can provide you with the archaeological survey you need quickly and cost-effectively. We are familiar with the wide range of federal, state, and municipal permitting requirements and can help guide you through the maze.

• Historic Site Surveys -- These surveys involve historical research and the documentation of standing historic structures, sites, districts, buildings, or objects. Such inventories can define the historic character of a community or a particular area.

• Architectural Surveys -- Chicora's team of preservationists, architects, and architectural historians can address your needs for a detailed evaluation of standing structures. Such research may include general assessments, architectural recordation, or studies which meet the exacting standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey.

• Preservation Planning -- This process organizes a wide range of preservation activities, such as identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment in a logical format. The process may incorporate archaeological surveys, historic site surveys, or a wide range of other cultural resource studies. The goal of such plans is typically to outline how cultural resources should be treated and plan for their responsible management.

• National Register Nominations -- Preparation of National Register nominations requires not only technical competency, but also good writing skills and a clear understanding of the National Register requirements. Chicora has extensive experience in this area, having prepared and presented nominations for sites ranging from a 2000 B.C. Native American site (Fish Haul) to a piedmont plantation (Rose Hill Plantation) to a turn of the century urban hotel (Lord Albert Commercial Complex). We have also nominated a number of cemeteries to the National Register (King Cemetery, Scallonville or Remley's Point Cemetery, and Maple Grove Cemetery).

• Archaeological Data Recovery -- This process involves planning, field research, laboratory analysis, conservation, curation, and report production. Chicora has a long history providing our business partners with the quality and service they need to ensure compliance with all professional guidelines and standards developed by the different state historic preservation offices, as well as the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Documentation.

• Archaeological Conservation -- While not the only archaeological conservation facility in the Southeast, Chicora's is the only one which routinely conserves samples of all objects from every excavation. Our in-house conservation facilities handle a wide variety of archaeological materials, including metals, wood, and leather.

Archaeology  |   SC Archaeology   |   Publications   |   Historic Contexts   |   Forensic Archaeology