Research & Insights

This page is currently being updated. Check back soon for new reports, publications, research briefs, and other work from CHRIS.

CHRIS approaches cultural heritage work as both professional practice and ongoing inquiry. Our research explores the people, places, collections, and histories that shape cultural heritage questions today.

This growing collection will feature original research, professional publications, technical resources, case studies, presentations, blog posts, and insights drawn from CHRIS projects and independent scholarship.

The video highlights the process of conducting a cultural resource assessment, showcasing how experts at CHRIS systematically identify and evaluate historical sites within a proposed development area. It emphasizes the importance of early collaboration between developers and preservation specialists to ensure compliance with environmental and heritage protection laws. Through detailed fieldwork and thorough documentation, the team works to mitigate potential impacts on significant cultural resources, promoting sustainable development that respects local history. The video also illustrates the integration of technology and traditional survey methods to achieve accurate and efficient results.

All Posts

Who Is Responsible for the Past?

What Happens When Human Remains, Cemeteries, and Cultural Collections Have No Clear Path Forward? Across the United States and around the world, museums, universities, churches, government agencies, historical organizations, communities, and private institutions care for cultural resources whose histories are not always fully understood. Human remains may have been collected or excavated generations ago. Historic cemeteries may have been forgotten, disturbed, relocated, or po

chris3inc

Sep 164 min read

From the Field to the Smithsonian: A New Chapter for CHRIS

It has been a busy and exciting few months, and I wanted to take a moment to share an important professional update. In February 2026, I accepted a position in a new role as Community Liaison for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History within the International Repatriation and Domestic Returns Program. This position focuses on helping connect museums, institutions, descendant communities, and stakeholders in conversations surrounding human dignity, re

chris3inc

Jun 42 min read

A YEAR OF IMPACT: HOW CHRIS TOOK ROOT AND WHERE WE’RE HEADED NEXT

One year ago, CHRIS started as a simple idea: a small, determined cultural heritage firm built on experience, urgency, and respect for the past. I didn’t have a full team. I didn’t have a full roadmap. What I did have was vision, discipline, and the stubborn belief that communities deserve better care for their history than they’ve ever been given. Year One proved that belief right. We began by taking on the projects that most people overlook: the quick-turn assessments, the

chris3inc

Dec 3, 20252 min read

Quick Guide for Developers: Applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards

Quick Guide for Developers: Applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards This guide offers a concise overview of the four primary treatment approaches defined by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the treatment of historic properties— Preservation , Rehabilitation , Restoration , and Reconstruction . It includes practical tips and examples to help developers plan projects that respect the historical significance of properties while meeting modern needs. 1. Pr

chris3inc

May 3, 20253 min read

Unearthing the Past: An In-Field Journey Through Springs Plantation

Between 2013 and 2015, I conducted archaeological fieldwork at Springs Plantation—a site layered with stories of labor, survival, and the complex relationships that defined plantation life. On April 4th, 2025, I returned—not to excavate, but to share that history directly on the land where it all happened. Nearly 20 descendants—both Black and white—gathered with me to walk the grounds, listen, ask questions, and reflect. I reconstructed the original excavation grid and placed

chris3inc

Apr 6, 20253 min read

What We’ve Been Up To: Phase 1 Archaeological Survey on the Lake Update

At CHRIS, we’ve been busy combining our passion for heritage preservation with modern development needs for our clients. Recently, our team completed a comprehensive Phase 1 archaeological survey—conducted under state direction—to better understand the historical context of the site and support our client’s vision for future development. In this update, we’re excited to share what we’ve been up to—from fieldwork and artifact discovery to submitting an updated Area of Potentia

chris3inc

Mar 26, 20252 min read

Preserving the Past: My Appointment to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

I’m excited to share some great news—I’ve been appointed to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) ! This is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the preservation and protection of historic sites that shape the cultural heritage of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Why Historic Landmarks Matter Historic landmarks tell the stories of our communities. They reflect the lives, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before us. Whether it’s a histori

chris3inc

Feb 13, 20252 min read

Discovering Hidden Histories: The Role of Impact Assessments in Preserving Cultural Landscapes

Introduction Imagine walking through a quiet forest, unaware that beneath your feet lies the intricate remains of a structure that once sustained a bustling plantation economy. Cultural resource impact assessments bring these hidden stories to light, weaving the past into the present and ensuring future generations can learn from and appreciate them. In a recent assessment, a routine survey revealed a wooden structure buried within a creek bed. What appeared to be a simple s

chris3inc

Jan 25, 20252 min read

Cultural Heritage and Community: Why It Matters During the Holidays

As the year winds down and we gather with family and friends, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the traditions, stories, and places that shape our shared identity. Whether it’s a historic church at the center of a community, a long-standing holiday market, or the stories passed down from one generation to the next, cultural heritage is all around us—connecting us to the past and grounding us in the present. At CHRIS (Cultural Heritage Resource Impact Solutions, Inc.) , we b

chris3inc

Dec 24, 20242 min read

Preserving History: How CHRIS Serves Communities and Developers

At Cultural Heritage Resource Impact Solutions, Inc. (CHRIS) , we are committed to balancing development with the preservation of historical and cultural resources. Through our Phase I, II, and III archaeological surveys, we provide the expertise and diligence needed to protect these invaluable resources while supporting sustainable growth. What Are Phase I, II, and III Surveys? Phase I Surveys Our Phase I surveys are the first step in identifying cultural and historical reso

chris3inc

Dec 20, 20243 min read

Case Study: Diasporic Burial Practices in Kingston, Jamaica- An Archaeological Perspective

Diasporic Burial Practices in Kingston, Jamaica: An Archaeological Perspective Research by Christina Benton, of CHRIS (Cultural Heritage Resource Impact Solutions, Inc.) Introduction Christina Benton’s research comparing southeastern plantation culture to Caribbean plantation culture originated from her 2012 Fulbright scholar grant to Kingston, Jamaica, where she examined the materiality of Jamaican cemeteries. Initially focused on enslaved African burial sites, the research

chris3inc

Dec 10, 20244 min read

Protecting Cultural Heritage: Why It Matters and How We Can Work Together

Cultural heritage is more than history; it’s the soul of a community. It reflects who we are, where we’ve been, and the values we pass on to future generations. Yet, as development and modernization continue to reshape our landscapes, preserving this heritage becomes increasingly vital—and more challenging. At Cultural Heritage Resource Impact Solutions, Inc. (CHRIS) , we’re committed to protecting cultural resources while fostering progress. But this mission can’t be accompl

chris3inc

Dec 3, 20242 min read

Preserving History and Shaping the Future, One Project at a Time

At Cultural Heritage Resource Impact Solutions, Inc. (CHRIS) , we are driven by a simple yet powerful mission: to honor the past while paving the way for sustainable progress. Every site tells a story, and at CHRIS, we ensure those stories are preserved, respected, and integrated into today’s development goals. But CHRIS is more than a consulting company—it’s the realization of a lifelong passion for uncovering and preserving cultural heritage. A Founder’s Journey Rooted in

chris3inc

Nov 26, 20242 min read

Research & Insights

All Posts

Who Is Responsible for the Past?

From the Field to the Smithsonian: A New Chapter for CHRIS

A YEAR OF IMPACT: HOW CHRIS TOOK ROOT AND WHERE WE’RE HEADED NEXT

Quick Guide for Developers: Applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards

Unearthing the Past: An In-Field Journey Through Springs Plantation

What We’ve Been Up To: Phase 1 Archaeological Survey on the Lake Update

Preserving the Past: My Appointment to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Discovering Hidden Histories: The Role of Impact Assessments in Preserving Cultural Landscapes

Cultural Heritage and Community: Why It Matters During the Holidays

Preserving History: How CHRIS Serves Communities and Developers

Case Study: Diasporic Burial Practices in Kingston, Jamaica- An Archaeological Perspective

Protecting Cultural Heritage: Why It Matters and How We Can Work Together

Preserving History and Shaping the Future, One Project at a Time

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Email

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Research & Insights​

All Posts

Who Is Responsible for the Past?

From the Field to the Smithsonian: A New Chapter for CHRIS

A YEAR OF IMPACT: HOW CHRIS TOOK ROOT AND WHERE WE’RE HEADED NEXT

Quick Guide for Developers: Applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards

Unearthing the Past: An In-Field Journey Through Springs Plantation

What We’ve Been Up To: Phase 1 Archaeological Survey on the Lake Update

Preserving the Past: My Appointment to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Discovering Hidden Histories: The Role of Impact Assessments in Preserving Cultural Landscapes

Cultural Heritage and Community: Why It Matters During the Holidays

Preserving History: How CHRIS Serves Communities and Developers

Case Study: Diasporic Burial Practices in Kingston, Jamaica- An Archaeological Perspective

Protecting Cultural Heritage: Why It Matters and How We Can Work Together

Preserving History and Shaping the Future, One Project at a Time

Phone

Email

Connect

Research & Insights