Jean Guarino, Ph.D., Principal of Guarino Resources Documentation, is an architectural historian who specializes in the preparation of reports, assessments, and surveys pertaining to historic buildings, structures, and landscapes. Clients include municipalities, architecture firms, developers, engineering firms, non-profit organizations, and private property owners. Jean is certified as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) with the City of Chicago.
These types of projects are undertaken for a variety of purposes. For example, landmark listing assists property owners in obtaining tax incentives for a building’s rehabilitation. HABS recordation often serves as a mitigation strategy to document buildings prior to alteration or demolition. Architectural surveys and studies are typically pursued for preservation planning purposes.
Jean’s expertise in historic resources documentation is the result of over 20 years of experience. Her projects have featured commercial and industrial buildings, railroad and vehicular bridges, airport terminals, single family houses, farm buildings, schools, churches, banks, a harness racing venue, golf course, and a canal.
Reports typically include a detailed architectural description of the resource and its alterations over the years; the development of historic context essays; and the compilation of a bibliography and supplemental materials, such as historic photos, permits, and/or architectural plans. Written documentation is the result of intensive primary and secondary source research undertaken at a variety of repositories, as well as site visits to review and photograph the resource.
Jean typically prepares all written/photographic aspects of the above-mentioned projects herself. However, she collaborates with a professional photographer and other colleagues on teams when appropriate. She has excellent professional relationships with staff at both the State Historic Preservation Office for Illinois and the Midwest Regional Office of the National Park Service, who review National Register nominations and HABS recordation, respectively.