Modernizing Cultural Resources Stewardship for the Pentagon

The Pentagon is one of the most symbolically important and historically significant buildings in the United States, recognized for its iconic five-sided design, its role in shaping modern defense operations, and its association with pivotal moments in U.S. history. The Pentagon Site, located in Arlington, Virginia, contains the Pentagon Historic District, is an active National Historic Landmark, and serves as the headquarters of the Department of War. Managing a resource of this magnitude is uniquely challenging and requires cultural resources processes that can keep pace with evolving mission needs, security requirements, and modernization efforts. Routine maintenance alone can trigger complex Section 106 review, and inconsistent processes can create delays, redesigns, and risks to project delivery. To strengthen stewardship, improve predictability, and support timely project delivery, Washington Headquarters Services sought to modernize and integrate its cultural resources program into a cohesive, forward-looking framework.

ERG partnered with WHS to develop a comprehensive, mission-aligned cultural resources program that brings structure, transparency, and efficiency to managing the Pentagon Historic District. ERG is designing a multi-layered compliance framework that includes a phased National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Programmatic Agreement, the Pentagon Site’s first Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan, and an updated historic property inventory. We are also supporting WHS in coordinating the development of an Installation Design Guide by aligning cultural resource policies, treatment standards, and review thresholds with broader design and planning efforts. Together, these tools streamline project reviews, strengthen relationships with consulting parties, and reinforce WHS’s stewardship responsibilities—allowing the Pentagon to meet mission requirements while preserving the integrity of one of the country’s most significant historic sites.