Determination of Eligibility (DOE)

Determination of Eligibility (DOE) assessments involve evaluating whether properties or districts qualify for the NRHP by examining their historical and architectural value through archival research and on-site inspections. We assess significance, integrity, and context, providing detailed reports to inform preservation or development decisions. These assessments are often part of Section 106 reviews for engineering or telecommunications projects—where SHPOs commonly request evaluations for the subject property or resources within the visual Area of Potential Effects (APE)—or conducted as standalone evaluations for federal, state, or private clients.

Clifton Historic Resources has completed multiple DOE assessments, both as standalone projects and integrated into broader Section 106 reviews, across various states.

The most recent example of a DOE conducted by Clifton Historic Resources is the Flynn’s Lick Methodist Church (ca. 1880; see images below), which was assessed as a standalone DOE submitted to the Tennessee Historical Commission (THC). This project resulted in an official SHPO concurrence letter in early 2025 confirming eligibility under Criterion C for its architectural significance and Criteria Consideration B for moved properties. A NRHP nomination will be completed for this project later this year.