Abstract
Decisions concerning the preservation of historic artifacts, the use of historic designation, the selection and elevation of artifacts deemed worthy of recognition, and the determination of treatment(s) are an expression of ascribed values typically identified by the term `historic significance'. Understanding the value of significance encompassed within the act of preservation is an essential facet of current professional and academic endeavors as they serve as the means by which `informed' decisions about how to best preserve and interpret an artifact are made. As values are an inherent part in historic preservation there is little knowledge about how the whole range of values can accurately or fully be assessed in the processes involved with historic preservation. This paper aims to explore the National Park Service's value assessment of the Thomas Nelson Jr., William Nelson, Smith and Ballard properties, located in Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, Va. in order to understand what the best possible outcome is insofar as their future preservation and interpretation based upon the understanding of yesterdays actions and today's preservation standards.