Heritage conservation is critical to community development plans. We work with cities and agencies to preserve historic structures and community stories through oral histories with our partners.
As multimedia conservators, we prepare your physical objects into long-term digitized items for preservation. We digitize your materials according to best practices established by the National Archives. We optimize the professional settings in Epson scanners to create digital versions at the highest DPI. We integrate optical character recognition (OCR) for text-based documents for searchability. We also transcribe handwritten correspondence. With our team of linguists, we translate these materials. Refer to the Scanning-Basics infographic created by UNC at Chapel Hill for more technical guidance.
UC Irvine Applied Innovation
Partnerships are crucial to the longevity of our work such as our participation at UCI Applied Innovation. We created 3D scans of artifacts for visitors to sample and experience at this lab facility.
History, although in the past, can help shape the future. Local historian and entrepreneur Jennifer Keil, co-founder of startup 70 Degrees, aims to change how archivists preserve historical data to show that history can be simultaneously fun and profitable.
AI & Digital History
We develop machine learning applications and analysis for digital archives. AI technology is changing the archiving field. Machine learning and predictive analysis is adding new metadata to digital photos. We are harnessing AWS and open source API to provide databases this application. We are working with OpenAI to process large data sets in open-source systems like Omeka.
3D Objects & Preservation
Digital Preservation
70 Degrees preserves art, artifacts, paintings, paper, photographic materials, furniture, book, sculpture, objects, wood and textile preservation and conservation. We draw on a team of experts to care for each object with best practices. Some of our recent community projects:
- Laura Davick’s Historic Crystal Cove Collection
- Newport Beach Historic Society Consultants
- UCI Applied Innovation Wayfinder Program developing 3D artifacts, machine learning, and augmented VR exhibit experiences
- UC Irvine Doors and Windows with Heart: The Limitations and Promise of Archive Creation and Archival Research
- UCI El Sol Exhibit curated by Dr. Ana Rosas with Matterport developed by 70 Degrees
- Balboa Island Museum Legacy Project in partnership with the City of Newport Beach
- Moulton Museum founding directors and archivists for the fine art, artifacts, and traveling exhibits
- Historic Consultants for Aliso Viejo Ranch
- Dana Point Historical Society Consultants
- Del Mar Historical Society Consultants
- Saddleback Area Historical Society Archive Consultants
- San Clemente Historical Society Consultants
- San Juan Capistrano Historical Society Consultants
- Orange County Docent League Event Hosts & Steering Committee Members
- Irvine Historical Society Archive Consultants
- Korean Diaspora digital history partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea Los Angeles office
- Laguna Woods History Center Community Project
- Del Mar Historical Society Museum Development Consulting
- European Migration to California at CSUF’s Center for Oral and Public History
National, State, and Local Preservation
As consultants, we advise for city preservation projects. We ensure that local histories are secured in perpetuity. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) was created recognize resources associated with the country’s history and heritage. Structures and features must usually be at least 50 years old to be considered for listing on the NRHP, barring exceptional circumstances.The California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR) was created to identify resources deemed worthy of preservation on a state level and was modeled closely after the NRHP. Local Properties that are not listed on the NRHP or CRHR may also be considered historical for the purposes
of CEQA.
We utilize heritage tourism studies to demonstrate a site’s capacity to increase economic viability for an area. We help submit National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources site nominations. We use California Preservation Foundation guidelines. We can help you with your federal and state historic site nominations. We suggest that you apply for the Mills Act Program that provides tax incentives to the applicant which helps secure your site’s future. We reference the Society of American Archivist’s Documenting in Times of Crisis: A Resource Kit. The SAA “templates and documents are divided into broad categories linked below, or see the complete Google Drive folder here.”
Preserving Historic Districts
According to the California Preservation Foundation, “Properties included in a historical survey become part of an inventory of building stock that is used for planning purposes. Reconnaissance Surveys are information gathering exercises and do not regulate, designate or otherwise affect ownership status or property use. Inclusion in a Reconnaissance Survey may trigger a more intensive survey, as described below. Intensive Surveys evaluate specific properties for historical significance and may or may not result in a formal designation, a determination of eligibility for designation, or a determination of historical significance for purposes of CEQA.”
The historical resources are defined in Section 21084.1 of CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines (14 CCR §15064.5).
City of Aliso Viejo
We worked with the city of Aliso Viejo, Third Street Architecture, and Moulton Museum to create an interpretive plan for Aliso Viejo Ranch. We created a virtual tour of the permanent display.
In recognition of the rich history of the City of Dana Point, the City adopted a historical preservation ordinance in 2001. The Historic Resources Ordinance establishes a voluntary program for property owners of historically significant structures to be included on the City of Dana Point Historic Resource Register. Dana Point Historical Society works with 70 Degrees to preserve the culture and historic architecture of the city of Dana Point.
- Historic Resources Ordinance – Dana Point Municipal Code Section 9.07.250
- Historic Architectural Resources Inventory (Link)\
- Dana Point Historic Inventory and Designated Structures (PDF)
Crystal Cove Cottages before and after showcases the North Beach Rehabilitation. Cottage #11 is a two story, multi-gabled white lap and white shingle. The cottage also contains the original wood frame windows and a second story box bay. The before photo features Biddy Payne and friends in 1934, courtesy of Laura Davick. The after photo was taken in 2018 before restoration.
Members of the city of Laguna Beach Heritage Committee advise City Council and design review authority on matters pertaining to historic preservation in the City, including evaluation of alterations to historic structures, requests to place structures on the Historic Register, and recommendations of properties for Mills Act contracts.
The city of Newport Beach describes its cultural resources in Chapter 6 in the General Plan. The AD Hoc Historic Preservation Advisory Committee identified historic properties. The city has a cottage preservation code since January 25, 2022. Take journey to the past with the city’s Historic photos map. Many landmarks are on the federal, state, and local registries. We have worked with Balboa Island Museum, Newport Beach Historical, Sherman Library and Gardens, and the city of Newport Beach.
The City of San Juan Capistrano is committed to preserving its unique cultural heritage. In 1996, the City adopted the motto “Preserving the Past to Enhance the Future.” In 2003, the City created a Historic Preservation Manager position to oversee its historic preservation programs. The City maintains a list of designated landmarks as well as a list of potential landmarks, owns a number of historic properties, has a Cultural Heritage Commission, and sponsors or participates in a variety of historic and cultural events and activities, including architectural and historic walking tour docent training and an annual Historic Preservation Week celebration. View the National Register of Historic Places and Inventory of Historic and Cultural Landmarks (IHCL) for more information.
The city of San Clemente has preserved an historic district off of PCH and Pico. In 2012, the City of San Clemente received a grant from the California State Office of Historic Preservation to complete a Historic Structures Report (HSR) on the Miramar Theater and Bowling Alley. The HSR describes the historic significance of the buildings, structural integrity, character defining features, and adaptive reuse options of the historic resource. It is currently being rehabilitated. To view the HSR for the Miramar Theater and Bowling Alley click here