What the National Register Is
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historic, architectural, archaeological, or cultural significance. Managed by the National Park Service, it serves as a cornerstone of the nations preservation program, providing recognition, research opportunities, and limited protection for listed resources.
A Brief History
The Register was created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). Prior to that, preservation efforts were fragmented and often dependent on private initiatives. The NHPA established a federalstate partnership, leading to the formation of State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and the creation of a systematic, nationwide inventory of historic places.
Since its inception, more than 95,000 individual properties and over 2,500 historic districts have been documented, representing more than 1.8million contributing resources across the country. The Register is continually expanding, with new entries added each week.
Eligibility Criteria
A property may be considered eligible if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
- Criterion A: Association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history.
- Criterion B: Association with the lives of persons significant in our past.
- Criterion C: Embodiment of distinctive characteristics of a type, period, method of construction, or high artistic values.
- Criterion D: Yielded, or may be likely to yield, important information in prehistory or history (archaeological significance).
In addition to meeting a criterion, a property must retain integrityits location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association should largely reflect its historic character.
The Listing Process
1. PreScreening Property owners or interested parties contact the SHPO for an informal review.
2. Documentation A detailed nomination form is prepared, including narrative description, significance statement, maps, and photographs.
3. State Review The SHPOs staff and a state review board evaluate the nomination. Public comment is invited.
4. National Review If the state approves, the nomination is forwarded to the National Park Service, where the Keeper of the National Register makes the final determination.
5. Listing Once approved, the property is entered into the Register and assigned a reference number.
Property owners may object to listing; in such cases the property is not added, though it may still be deemed eligible for other preservation incentives.
Benefits of Listing
Although inclusion does not automatically protect a property from alteration or demolition, it does provide several tangible advantages:
- Recognition Formal acknowledgment of a propertys importance.
- Tax Incentives Qualified rehabilitation projects may receive a 20% federal historic tax credit.
- Grant Eligibility Access to preservation grants administered by federal, state, and local agencies.
- Consideration in Federal Projects Section106 of the NHPA requires federal undertakers to assess effects on historic properties.
- Heritage Tourism Listed sites often attract visitors, contributing to local economies.
Notable Examples
Below are a few diverse listings that illustrate the breadth of the Register:
Independence Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Designated in 1966, this 18thcentury brick building is the site where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted. It meets Criteria A and B and retains extraordinary integrity.
Fort Sumter National Monument Charleston, South Carolina
The first shots of the Civil War were fired here in 1861. The fort and surrounding ruins exemplify Criterion A (military history) and Criterion D (archaeological significance).
Route66 Multiple States
The historic highway was listed as a district covering sections in eight states. It illustrates Criterion A (transportation history) and embodies the cultural landscape of the automobile age.
Frank Lloyd Wrights Robie House Chicago, Illinois
An iconic example of PrairieStyle architecture, the Robie House meets Criterion C for its innovative design and high artistic values.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park New Mexico
Home to the ruins of an Ancestral Puebloan urban center (9001150AD). The site satisfies Criterion D for its rich archaeological record.
How to Learn More
The National Park Service maintains an online database (the NRHP Public Access) where anyone can search for listings by name, location, or reference number. Many SHPOs also host local workshops, walking tours, and publications that delve deeper into regional heritage.
Preserving the past is a collaborative effort. Whether you are a property owner, historian, educator, or simply a curious citizen, exploring the National Register offers insight into the stories that have shaped the United States.
