National Historic Landmark

National Historic Landmark
NPS Photo · Public domain · source
Name	National Historic Landmark
Awarded by	United States Secretary of the Interior
Country	United States

National Historic Landmark. A National Historic Landmark is a building, district, object, site, or structure officially recognized by the United States government for possessing exceptional value in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. This designation, administered by the National Park Service under the authority of the Historic Sites Act of 1935, represents the highest level of national recognition for historic properties. Unlike the more numerous listings on the National Register of Historic Places, NHLs are designated specifically for their outstanding national significance.

Definition and purpose

The primary purpose of this designation is to identify, recognize, and encourage the preservation of sites that possess exceptional value to the nation as a whole, rather than just local or state significance. This program aims to promote the public's understanding and appreciation of pivotal events, influential persons, and defining architectural achievements in American history. By highlighting these irreplaceable resources, the program supports the stewardship of tangible connections to the nation's past, from the era of pre-Columbian cultures to the modern age, including sites associated with the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Designation process

The process for designation is rigorous and typically initiated through studies conducted by the National Park Service or nominations submitted by property owners, state historic preservation officers, federal agencies, or members of the public. Proposals are reviewed by the National Park System Advisory Board, which makes recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior. Following a positive recommendation, the Secretary officially designates the property, often during a formal ceremony. Key legislation governing this process includes the aforementioned Historic Sites Act of 1935 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which established the broader framework for historic preservation in the United States.

Criteria for selection

Properties must meet at least one of six specific criteria to be considered for designation, demonstrating their national importance. These criteria include association with events that made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of American history, such as the Louisiana Purchase or the Wright brothers' first flight. They also include association with the lives of persons of national historical significance, like Thomas Edison or Harriet Tubman. Other criteria encompass distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; representation of the work of a master, such as architect Frank Lloyd Wright; or properties that have yielded, or may yield, important information in history or prehistory, like the Cahokia mounds.

Examples of NHLs

Examples span the breadth of American experience and geography. Iconic structures include the Empire State Building in New York City, the USS *Arizona* Memorial in Pearl Harbor, and the White House in Washington, D.C.. Significant historic districts include the French Quarter in New Orleans and Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Important archaeological and cultural sites range from Taos Pueblo in New Mexico to the Serpent Mound in Ohio. Other notable landmarks are the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, the Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania, and the NASA-associated John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Relationship to other designations

This designation exists within a layered system of historic recognition. All NHLs are automatically listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but the reverse is not true, as the National Register includes properties of state and local significance. Many NHLs also hold state-level designations, such as being a California Historical Landmark or a Virginia Landmarks Register. Some may also be designated as a National Historic Site or part of a National Historical Park, like Independence Hall within Independence National Historical Park. Internationally, a select few, such as Yellowstone National Park and Statue of Liberty National Monument, are also designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Preservation and management

While designation is a high honor, it does not directly impose federal restrictions on private property owners. However, many NHLs are protected through easements, local zoning, or because they are owned by public entities like the National Park Service or various state governments. The National Historic Preservation Act provides a measure of protection by requiring review under Section 106 for any federal undertaking that might affect an NHL. Preservation efforts are often supported by grants from programs like the Save America's Treasures and through partnerships with non-profit organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local historical societies.