RAMSEY HISTORIC CONSULTANTS, INC. is a comprehensive historic preservation planning firm founded in 2014. We provide a variety of preservation-related services to building owners and developers, non-profits, and municipalities.
RHC is a woman-owned company specializing in the preparation of historic preservation tax incentive applications, National Register nominations and local landmark designation reports, Historic American Buildings Survey documentation, and historic resource surveys.
RHC is a woman-owned company specializing in the preparation of historic preservation tax incentive applications, National Register nominations and local landmark designation reports, Historic American Buildings Survey documentation, and historic resource surveys.
EMILY RAMSEY, RHC Founder and Principal, is an expert in historic preservation tax incentives and in the preparation of National Register nominations and landmark designation reports for a wide variety of historic resources. Emily served as Senior Associate for MacRostie Historic Advisors (MHA) between 2008 and 2014, where she prepared National Register nominations, local landmark designation reports, and historic preservation certification applications for properties seeking federal, state, and local historic rehabilitation tax incentives. She has prepared successful National Register nominations and local designation reports for a wide range of properties, including industrial loft buildings, post-war affordable housing complexes, school buildings, apartment hotels, downtown office skyscrapers, hotels, post offices, and military housing. During her time with MHA, Emily also prepared historic tax credit certification applications for many prominent historic rehabilitation projects in Chicago and throughout the Midwest, including the Inland Steel Building, the Shoreland Hotel, the Chicago Athletic Association Building, the Wrigley Building, Parkway Garden Homes, the Sutherland Hotel (all in Chicago), as well as the Chittenden & Eastman Building and the St. Paul Post Office and Custom House in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Prior to joining MHA, Emily served as Project Director and Assistant Director for the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association (HCBA), a City of Chicago initiative dedicated to preserving the city’s unique housing stock. Between 2003 and 2007, Emily directed an HCBA program that provided technical assistance to communities seeking to list their neighborhoods in the National Register and administered financial incentive programs providing grants to homeowners completing energy efficient improvements. As part of this program, she worked with bungalow owners in communities across the city to compile research for their communities and authored National Register nominations for six bungalow historic districts in Chicago, the largest of which contained nearly 800 properties.
Emily has given presentations on researching and evaluating historic properties to community groups in Chicago and St. Paul, has presented as part of the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Lunchtime Lecture Series, and served on a panel for preserving distinctive housing stock at the National Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference. Emily has taught Archival Documentation for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Historic Preservation Graduate Program, which teaches students how to prepare National Register nominations, and has served as a guest lecturer at SAIC. She has served as a member of Landmarks Illinois’ Easement Committee, which reviews preservation easement applications and proposed rehabilitation plans for properties throughout the state.
Emily holds a BA degree in History with a minor in American Studies from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and an MS degree in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She meets the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualification standards in the field of architectural history as outlined in the Federal Register.
Prior to joining MHA, Emily served as Project Director and Assistant Director for the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association (HCBA), a City of Chicago initiative dedicated to preserving the city’s unique housing stock. Between 2003 and 2007, Emily directed an HCBA program that provided technical assistance to communities seeking to list their neighborhoods in the National Register and administered financial incentive programs providing grants to homeowners completing energy efficient improvements. As part of this program, she worked with bungalow owners in communities across the city to compile research for their communities and authored National Register nominations for six bungalow historic districts in Chicago, the largest of which contained nearly 800 properties.
Emily has given presentations on researching and evaluating historic properties to community groups in Chicago and St. Paul, has presented as part of the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Lunchtime Lecture Series, and served on a panel for preserving distinctive housing stock at the National Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference. Emily has taught Archival Documentation for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Historic Preservation Graduate Program, which teaches students how to prepare National Register nominations, and has served as a guest lecturer at SAIC. She has served as a member of Landmarks Illinois’ Easement Committee, which reviews preservation easement applications and proposed rehabilitation plans for properties throughout the state.
Emily holds a BA degree in History with a minor in American Studies from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and an MS degree in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She meets the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualification standards in the field of architectural history as outlined in the Federal Register.
LARA RAMSEY, RHC Founder and Principal, has extensive experience working with municipalities in Illinois on survey and National Register projects and has also worked with numerous homeowners seeking certification for the State of Illinois' Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program for historic properties. In her 10 years with Granacki Historic Consultants, Lara has been the principal surveyor and project coordinator for 24 architectural resource surveys, most of which were funded through the CLG grant program. She has also completed National Register Nominations for a number of residential and commercial historic districts in Illinois. Her strong research and writing skills, as well as her experience in documenting and analyzing residential architecture in suburban Chicagoland, are an asset to the firm.
Prior to joining Granacki Historic Consultants in 2004, Lara was a preservation consultant who worked on a variety of projects in the Chicago area. She co-wrote National Register nominations for the Palmolive Building (919 N. Michigan Avenue), the William H Reid House (2013 S. Prairie), and the Medical and Dental Arts Building (185 N. Wabash) in Chicago, all with Baldwin Historic Properties. From 2001 to 2004, she acted as consultant to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission in Charlotte, North Carolina, preparing survey and research reports on local properties and making recommendations on landmark eligibility. She was responsible for a survey of the African American resources in North Carolina which included a wide variety of vernacular housing types. This work included physical descriptions of all properties and a summary report with a short history and analysis of the significance of the resources found.
Lara is a part-time adjunct professor in the School of the Art Institute's Historic Preservation graduate program.
Lara holds a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MS in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She meets the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualification standards in the field of architectural history as outlined in the Federal Register.
Prior to joining Granacki Historic Consultants in 2004, Lara was a preservation consultant who worked on a variety of projects in the Chicago area. She co-wrote National Register nominations for the Palmolive Building (919 N. Michigan Avenue), the William H Reid House (2013 S. Prairie), and the Medical and Dental Arts Building (185 N. Wabash) in Chicago, all with Baldwin Historic Properties. From 2001 to 2004, she acted as consultant to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission in Charlotte, North Carolina, preparing survey and research reports on local properties and making recommendations on landmark eligibility. She was responsible for a survey of the African American resources in North Carolina which included a wide variety of vernacular housing types. This work included physical descriptions of all properties and a summary report with a short history and analysis of the significance of the resources found.
Lara is a part-time adjunct professor in the School of the Art Institute's Historic Preservation graduate program.
Lara holds a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MS in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She meets the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualification standards in the field of architectural history as outlined in the Federal Register.
JOHN CRAMER, Director with RHC, prepares and oversees federal and state historic tax credit applications, National Register nominations, landmark designation reports, and Section 106 reviews for building projects nationwide. John has over 15 years experience in the architecture and preservation fields working closely and effectively with building owners, developers, architects, contractors and regulators on a variety of for-profit and non-profit preservation projects. Before joining RHC in 2023, John worked as a project manager for preservation architecture firms and advocacy organizations and as an independent design and preservation consultant. From 2013 to 2022, John was with MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC where he was named Midwest Office Director in 2020 and Partner in 2021.
John has consulted on a variety of historic tax credit projects and historic design reviews, bringing his unique experience as an architectural designer to complete creative and successful rehabilitation and adaptive reuse incentive applications. John also regularly gives public tours at historic sites and talks on architecture and architectural history, and has been a featured speaker at regional workshops and conferences.
John is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Institute of Architects, Landmarks Illinois, and the Society of Architectural Historians. In 2018, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named John as one of their inaugural "40 Under 40: People Saving Places" honoring professionals across the country making a significant impact in historic preservation and related fields.
John holds Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. John meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards per 36 CFR Part 61 for Architectural History, Architecture, and Historic Architecture.
While employed by MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC, John served as project manager on the following selected list of successful federal, state, and local incentive-funded rehabilitation efforts; National Register nominations; and local landmark designations:
John has consulted on a variety of historic tax credit projects and historic design reviews, bringing his unique experience as an architectural designer to complete creative and successful rehabilitation and adaptive reuse incentive applications. John also regularly gives public tours at historic sites and talks on architecture and architectural history, and has been a featured speaker at regional workshops and conferences.
John is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Institute of Architects, Landmarks Illinois, and the Society of Architectural Historians. In 2018, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named John as one of their inaugural "40 Under 40: People Saving Places" honoring professionals across the country making a significant impact in historic preservation and related fields.
John holds Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. John meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards per 36 CFR Part 61 for Architectural History, Architecture, and Historic Architecture.
While employed by MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC, John served as project manager on the following selected list of successful federal, state, and local incentive-funded rehabilitation efforts; National Register nominations; and local landmark designations:
Altgeld Gardens - Phillip Murray Homes Historic District - Chicago, Illinois (National Register nomination)
Appleton Woolen Mills (Woolen Mills Lofts) - Appleton, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Blommer Ice Cream Factory (Legacy Lofts) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Blue Bell Factory Building (Historic Blue Bell Lofts) - Columbia City, Indiana (Federal HTCs)
Cadillac Showroom, South Michigan Avenue (Revel Motor Row) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Century Building - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Chicago Motor Club (Hampton Inn) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs, Cook County Class L Property Tax Incentive)
Church of the Epiphany (Epiphany Center for the Arts) - Chicago Illinois (Federal HTCs, Cook County Class L Property Tax Incentive)
Congress Theater - Chicago, Illinois (National Register nomination)
Davis Theater - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs, National Register nomination)
Equitable Life Building (Millennium on LaSalle) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Fraternal Reserve Association (Washington Place Historic Flats) - Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs, National Register nomination)
Garfield Avenue School (Historic Garfield Apartments) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Garfield School (Garfield School Senior Residences) - Moline, Illinois (National Register nomination)
Goldblatt Bros. Department Store, 47th Street (Goldblatt's Senior Living) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Hotel Northland - Green Bay, Wisconsin (National Register nomination)
Illinois Automobile Club / Chicago Defender Building, Michigan Avenue (Revel Motor Row) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Julia C. Lathrop Homes North Campus (Lathrop) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Kenosha Elks Club (Stella Hotel and Ballroom) - Kenosha, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs, National Register nomination)
Kenosha YMCA (Residences at Library Park) - Kenosha, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Lawrence House - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Little Crow Milling Company Factory (Little Crow Lofts) - Warsaw, Indiana (Federal HTCs)
Louis Bass Building (Louis Bass Apartments) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Mansfield Ice Cream Factory (Haymarket Lofts) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Milwaukee Athletic Club - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Mirro Plant #3 (Artist Lofts) - Manitowoc, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs, National Register nomination)
Muirdale Tuberculosis Sanatorium Powerhouse (M10) - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
North West Tower / Hollander Storage Warehouse (Robey Hotel) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs, Cook County Class L Property Tax Incentive)
Nunn Bush Shoe Company Plant (Welford Sanders Lofts) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Old Colony Building (ARC at Old Colony) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Pabst Bottling House (Eleven25 at Pabst) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Pabst Church (Pabst Brewery) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Paris High School (Tiger Senior Apartments) - Paris, Illinois (Federal and State HTCs)
Polish National Alliance - Chicago, Illinois (National Register nomination, Chicago Landmark designation)
Sears, Roebuck & Company Merchandise Building Tower (Homan Square Tower / Nichols Tower) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Sears, Roebuck & Company Merchandise, Development and Laboratory Building (Lofts on Arthington) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Selmer Factory (Gardenview Senior Apartments) - Elkhart, Indiana (Federal HTCs)
Shoreline Apartments (Park Heights by the Lake) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
St. Charles Hospital (Aurora Senior Suites St. Charles) - Aurora, Illinois (Federal and State HTCs)
Stony Island Trust & Savings Bank (Stony Island Arts Bank) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs, National Register nomination)
Warner Theater (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Bradley Symphony Center) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Appleton Woolen Mills (Woolen Mills Lofts) - Appleton, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Blommer Ice Cream Factory (Legacy Lofts) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Blue Bell Factory Building (Historic Blue Bell Lofts) - Columbia City, Indiana (Federal HTCs)
Cadillac Showroom, South Michigan Avenue (Revel Motor Row) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Century Building - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Chicago Motor Club (Hampton Inn) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs, Cook County Class L Property Tax Incentive)
Church of the Epiphany (Epiphany Center for the Arts) - Chicago Illinois (Federal HTCs, Cook County Class L Property Tax Incentive)
Congress Theater - Chicago, Illinois (National Register nomination)
Davis Theater - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs, National Register nomination)
Equitable Life Building (Millennium on LaSalle) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Fraternal Reserve Association (Washington Place Historic Flats) - Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs, National Register nomination)
Garfield Avenue School (Historic Garfield Apartments) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Garfield School (Garfield School Senior Residences) - Moline, Illinois (National Register nomination)
Goldblatt Bros. Department Store, 47th Street (Goldblatt's Senior Living) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Hotel Northland - Green Bay, Wisconsin (National Register nomination)
Illinois Automobile Club / Chicago Defender Building, Michigan Avenue (Revel Motor Row) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Julia C. Lathrop Homes North Campus (Lathrop) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Kenosha Elks Club (Stella Hotel and Ballroom) - Kenosha, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs, National Register nomination)
Kenosha YMCA (Residences at Library Park) - Kenosha, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Lawrence House - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Little Crow Milling Company Factory (Little Crow Lofts) - Warsaw, Indiana (Federal HTCs)
Louis Bass Building (Louis Bass Apartments) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Mansfield Ice Cream Factory (Haymarket Lofts) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Milwaukee Athletic Club - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Mirro Plant #3 (Artist Lofts) - Manitowoc, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs, National Register nomination)
Muirdale Tuberculosis Sanatorium Powerhouse (M10) - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
North West Tower / Hollander Storage Warehouse (Robey Hotel) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs, Cook County Class L Property Tax Incentive)
Nunn Bush Shoe Company Plant (Welford Sanders Lofts) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Old Colony Building (ARC at Old Colony) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Pabst Bottling House (Eleven25 at Pabst) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Pabst Church (Pabst Brewery) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)
Paris High School (Tiger Senior Apartments) - Paris, Illinois (Federal and State HTCs)
Polish National Alliance - Chicago, Illinois (National Register nomination, Chicago Landmark designation)
Sears, Roebuck & Company Merchandise Building Tower (Homan Square Tower / Nichols Tower) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Sears, Roebuck & Company Merchandise, Development and Laboratory Building (Lofts on Arthington) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
Selmer Factory (Gardenview Senior Apartments) - Elkhart, Indiana (Federal HTCs)
Shoreline Apartments (Park Heights by the Lake) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs)
St. Charles Hospital (Aurora Senior Suites St. Charles) - Aurora, Illinois (Federal and State HTCs)
Stony Island Trust & Savings Bank (Stony Island Arts Bank) - Chicago, Illinois (Federal HTCs, National Register nomination)
Warner Theater (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Bradley Symphony Center) - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Federal and State HTCs)